
GIass_^ ( 

Book ry"* 1 



ALFONSO, 

m 

KING OF CASTILE: 

A TRAGED2', 



IN 



FIVE ACTS, 



By MS G. LEWIS, 



For us and for ovc Tragedy, 

Thas ft iop ng ' >ur clemency, 

We beg our candid hearing patiently, 

HAMLET. 



LONDON: 

PRINTED FOR J. BELL, NO. 148, OXFORD-STREET, 
BY WILXS AXD TAYLOR, CHANOEK.Y-LANE.. 



1801. 
Price is. 6d, 



(fottered -at feiationerg' ©all 






Hit 



V* 



/- 



PREFACE. 



I 



HAVE already been afked fo often, why, contrary 
to the ufual cuftom, I publifli this Tragedy previous to 
kg performance, that I think it as well to publifli alfo 
my reafons. 

In the firft place, when my Drama of " Adelmorn 
the Outlaw ** was played at Brury-Lane, fo many wilful 
mifreprefentations of it were made between the periods 
of its being performed, and of its being printed, that I 
refolved in future to take this method of depriving my 
cenfurers of the plea of involuntary mijlaking. I print 
my Play for the fame purpofe, that advertifements are 
fometimes inferred in the Gazette—" In order that 
none may pretend ignorance. i, -**To the aflertion, that 
my Play is Jlupid, I have nothing to object j if it be 
found fo, even let it fo be faid : but if (as was moll 
falfely aiTerted of Adelmorn) any anonymous writer 
mould advance that this Tragedy is immoral, I expect 
him to prove his aflTertion by quoting the objectionable; 
pafTages. This I demand as an act of jujlice : as a 
matter of favour perhaps I might requeft my cen- 
furers to fpeak of my Play as it is, and 

* c Nothing extenuate, 
Nor aught fet down in malice." 

a a But 



IV PREFACE, 

But this is a requeft which experience forbids my 
making, knowing perfectly well that it would not be 
complied with. — In faying this, I muft beg to be un- 
derflood as alluding only to prejudiced individuals, not 
as meaning to exprefs any diffatisfaction refpecling the 
public in general. On the contrary, the reception of 
my productions has been always equal, fometim'es far 
fuperior, to the merits of fuch trifles. 

In the fecond place, I publifh my Play previous to its 
reprefentation/becaufe I have very great doubts, whether 
^ even an excellent Tragedy, if written in blank verfe, 
would fucceed on the Stage at prefent : of courfe I do 
not flatter myfeif that mine will ; and, after the cold 
reception of De Montfort, I am not "vain enough to ex- 
pect that Alfor.fo will meet with a kind one. I there- 
fore rather wifn this production to be confidered as a 
dramatic poem, or (if that be too lofty a character for 
it) as a (hort novel in dialogue, divided into acts, in- 
ftead of chapters. In writing it, I have fpared no 
pains. I now give it to the public, not as a good Play, 
but as .the beft that I can produce : Very poflibly nobody 
could write a ivorje Tragedy ; but it is a melancholy 
truth, that / cannot write a better. 

When this Play was fhown to Mr. Harris, I informed 
him of my pofitive determination to publifh it pre- 
vious to its performance. He accepted it under that 
condition, and in a manner the moil flattering : he only 
objected (and that, all things confidered, very properly) 
to the cataftrophe, as being calculated rather to excite 
3 t horror 



PREFACE. V 

horror than pity, and therefore as unfit for public re- 
presentation. In the performance, therefore, the con- 
clulion will.be totally different, from that of the pub- 
liihed Play ; and (though according to my own opinion 
it does not tally fo \well with Orh^o's character) I ac- 
knowledge, that of the two, the new cataftrophe feems 
to me the bed calculated for the Stage. The feveral 
characters are diftributed very much to my fatisfac- 
tion. If my Flay fails,! am perfuaded it will be either 
from the malignity of faction/or from its own de- 
merits, not from any deficiency in the abilities of the 
Performers. 

RefpecHng the plot, I have to confefs that the foli- 
ation at the end of the Second Act was fuggefted by 

the well-known anecdote of Charlemagne and his 
daughter Emma. It feems more likely to have been 
fuggeited by the (lory of Sigifmimda and Guifcardo ; 
— only the fac! happens to be otherwife. — In the year 
iy c Ky during the reign of Alfonfo the Xfth, (fur- 
named, the Wife, and father of Pedro the Cruel ;) the 
fiege of Algefiras took place, at which the firft.ufe of 
gunpowder is laid to have been made ; this is the only 
hiftorical anecdote which I have employed : as .to the 
real character of Alfonfo the Xlth, I mud own, that 
it no more reiembles that of my Alfonfo the Xlth, 
than it does John the Painter's, or Peter the Wild Toy's. 
—I do not rn'yfelf think that this departure from 
Uiftory is a matter of any confequence ; but they who 
do, will probabiy conCder it as a radical defect in the 
cempofition. 

Here 



Here and there I have detected fome trifling pla«* 
giarifms, rather of expreflion than of fentiment, fuch 
as the following : 

" Now, ye Stars, 

<f Shed dews celeftial from your golden vials 

" On that dear gracious head 1*' A3 III. 

" You Gods, look down, 

" And from your facred vials pour your graces 

M Upon my daughter's head l M [Winter's Tate.'} 



« I'll blaft him with a look !' a A3 L 

a Would that thefe eyes had Heaven's own light* 

" ning, 
" That with a look thus I might blaft thee !" 

[Game/!er.~j 

There are a few others of the fame kind, but fo 
trifling as to be not worth altering, and fcarce worth 
mentioning. However, mould this Play be thoug t 
worthy of a fecond edition, I fhall moft confcientioufly 
refund every fyllable which is not ftrictly my own, 
and fhall think myfelf obliged to any perfon, who will 
take the trouble of pointing out any plagiarifm of 
which I may not be aware. At prefent it would be 
ridiculous in me to take the pains of giving back, what 

nobody would think it worth while to receive.- 1 

fhall, however, juft mention, that I fufpeft (but am 
not certain) that fome ill-natured author has taken 
advantage of being able to publifh before I was born, 
in order to compofe the following lines before me. 

« What 



PREFACE. vil 

w What can Ottilia afk, and I deny ? Aft L 

A If to forgive be fin, 

" How deeply then muft Heaven have finned to 
« man V Aa III. 

Who firft wrote the above lines, I fuppofe their 
authors know : if / did not> I am ignorant who did. 

There are two pafTages in this Tragedy, which I am 
confcipus might have been liable to mifreprefentation ; 
but with fuch authorities as I mall give for the propriety 
toi the fentiments, that Critic will be a bold man 
who (hall venture to attack their morality. Into the 
bargain both pafTages will be omitted in the repre- 
fentation. 

Dec. 12, 1801. M. G. LEWIS. 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 

Alfonso XI. 
Crsino. 

Cm S A R I O. 

Father Bazil. 

Hensiquez. 
Melchioxi. 

RlCARDO. 

Gomez. 
Marc os 
Lucio. 

Firit Citizen.' 
Second Citizen. 
Friars, Soldiers, Citizens, Coiifpirators > £sV. 

Amelrosa. 
Ottilia. 
Estella. 
In is. 
Nuns, and Female Attendants on Amelrofa. 



The Scene lies in Burgos (the Capital of Old Caftile), 

and in the adjoining Foreft. 

The Action isfuppofed to pafs in the Year 1345. 



ERRATA. 

P 7, laft line but one — read — It muft not be Hark footfteps ! 

P. 8, line 23 — read— My life. 

P. 9, line 2— read — I'M hence. 

P. 12, lice 7 — read — the. orily chain. 

P. 1 8, line 1 — read — Protedt my people, is'w from me. 

P. 43, line 16— read — Jh?.d not. 

P. 44, line 22 — read — F01 fo my foul dotes en thee, 

But to fufpect thee racks each nerve. 
P. 53, line 28 — O nit the riste of admirati on. 
P. 57, line 18 — for — Oi lino's fire melt — read— Orflno melt. 
P. 6 1, line 19 — for — will guaranty — read— will guarantee. 
P. 74, line 12 — after — Alas? — Omit the no' e of interrogation. 
P. 75 — before the firft fpeech after — Enter Ottilia — infert Ottilia. 
P. 90, line zi — af:er thanks, place a note of admiration. 
P- 92, lir-5 9 — aft^r— kindnefs, place a comma. 
P. 105, line 5 — for requium—i-ead— recruiem. 



ALFONSO, 

KING OF CASTILE 



ACT L 

SCENE I. 

I The palace-gar den. — Day-break. 
OTTILIA enters in a night drefs : her hair flows dijhevelled. 

OTTILIA. 

JLIeWS of the morn, defcend ! Breathe, fummer-gales 9 
My flufhed cheeks woo ye ! Play, fweet wantons, play 
•Mid my loofe trefTes, fan my panting breaft, 
Quench my blood's burning fever! — Vain, vain prayer ! 
Not Winter, throned 'midft Alpine fnows, whofe will 
Can with one breath, one touch, congeal whole realms* 
And blanch whole feas ; not that fiend's feif could eajfe 
This heart, this gulph of flames, this purple kingdom, 
Where paffion rules and rages ! — Oh ! my foul ! 
Csefario, my Cjefario ! — ^A paufle, during which /he feems 
buried in thought — the clock Jl riles flour.] 
Hark !— Ah me ! 
Js 't ftill fo early ?■ Will h be ftill fo long, 
Ere my love comes ? Oh ! fpeed, ye pitying hours, 

B- Yottt 



2 ALFONSO: Act * 

Your flight, till mid-day brings^Csefario back ; 
Then, if ye lift, reft your, kind wings for ever ! 

Enter lucio. 

LUCIO. 

Tis paft the hour ! I fear I fnall be chid, 
For lo ! the fun already darts his rays 
Athwart the garden-paths. 

OTTILIA. 

How flill ! how tranquil ! 
All refts, except Ottilia ! I '11 regain 
^The hateful couch, where flill my hufband ileeps : 
Ere long he fleeps for ever ! — Ha ! why fteals 
Yon boy. ..... Amazement ! Do my eyes deceive me ? 

LUCIO. 

Hift J hift 1 Eftella ? 

estella. [Appearing on the terrace of the palace J] 
Lucio ? 

LUCIO. 

Aye, the fame. 

ESTELLA. 

Good ! good ! 

LUCIO. 

But pray you bid him fpeed. So loud 
His black Arabian fnorts, and paws the earth, 
I fear he '11 wake the guards. 

ESTELLA, 

Farewell, P 11" warn him. {Exeunt federally* 

ottilia. [Alone*'] 
'Twas Lucio, fure !. . .Whatbufinefs.^.Ah, how ready 
Is Fear to whifper what Love hates to hear ! 

[Eftella and Casfario appear on the terrace.^ 

See! 



Act I. A TRAGEDY. 

See ! fee ! Again Eftella\omes — and with her .... 
Shame and defpair ! Burft from your fockets, eyes, 
Since ye dare mow me this ! — 'Tis he ! 'Tis he ! 

Csfario ! On my foal, Csefario's felf 

He bids farewell ! — He waves a glittering fcarf, 
A gift of love, no doubt ! — Now to his lips 
He glues it ! — Bliftered be thofe lips, Csefario, 
Which have fo oft fworn faith to me ! — She goes . .* . 
Egyptian plagues go with her ! [Exit Eftella. 

CiESARlo. [Looking back at the palace. ~\ 
Yet one look, 
One grateful blefling for this night of rapture ; 
Then, fhrine of my foul's idol ! calket, holding 
My heart's moft precious gem, awhile farewell ! 
But, when my foot next bends thy floors, expect 
No more this cautious gait, this voice fubdued ! 
Proud and ere£l, with manly fteps and ftrong, 
I '11 come a Conqueror and a King, to lead 
With fceptred hand forth from her bower my bride, 
And bid Caftile adore her, like Csefario. 
Farewell, once more farewell ! 

ottilia. [Advancing.^ 
I '11 crofs his path, 
And blaft him with a look. 

CiESARIO. 

Ottilia ? 

OTTILIA. 

What ? 
Am I then grown fo hideous that my fight 
Withers the rofes on a warrior's cheeks, 
And makes his fteps recoil ? In Mooriih battles 

b 2 He 



4 ALFONSO : Act L 

He gazed undaunted on Death's frightful form, 
But fhrinks to view a monfter like Ottilia. 

cesario. [Jfide.~\ 
■ Confufion ! Should her rage alarm the guards 

OTTILIA. 

Or do I wrong myfelf ? Is ftill my form 
Unchanged, but not thy faith ? Speak, traitor, fpeak! 

C-ffiSARIQ. 

I own, moft dear Ottilia .... 

OTTILIA. 

Hark ! He owns it i 
Hear, Earth and Heaven, he owns it ! No excufe ! 
No varniih ! No difguife ! — He will not ftoop 
To ufe difiembling with a wretch he fcorns, 
Nor thinks it worth his pains to fool me further ! 
Proceed, brave fir, proceed ! In trivial drain 
Tell me, how light are lovers 1 oaths, how fond 
Youth's heart of change, how quick love comes and flies j 
And own, that yours for me is flown for ever. 
Then with indifference aflc a parting kifs, 
Hope we (hall flill be friends, profefs efteem, 
•Thank me for favours paft, and coldly leave me, 

C£SARio. \_Afide.~\ 
How (hall I hum this dorm ? 

OTTILIA. 

Oh ! fool, fool, fool ! 
I thought him abfent \ thought mid-day would bring 
My hero back, and pafs'd this fleepltfs night 
In prayers, and Tigris, and vows for his return ; 
While fcorned all oaths, forgot all faith, all honour, 

Clafped 



Act I. A TRAGEDY. » 

Clafped in Eftella's wanton arms he lay, 

And mock'd the poor, undone, deceiv'd Ottilia! 

CiESARIO. 

Eftella?— [then •qjide'] Bleft miftake ! 

OTTILIA. 

What, didft thorn hope 
M y rival's name unknown ? Oh ! well I know it *, 
E ftella ! curfed Eftella ! Still I '11 fhriek it 
Piercing and loud, till Earth, and Air, and Ocean, 
Ring with her name, thy guilt, and my deipair. 

CESARIO. 

And need thy words, Ottilia, blame my falfehood? 
Oh ! in each feature of thy beauteous face 
I blum to read reproaches far more keen. 
Thofe glittering eyes, though now with lightnings armed, 
Which erfl were ufed to pour on bleft Csefario 
Kind looks, and fondeft fnriles, and tears of rapture \ 
That voice, by wrath untuned, once only breathing 
Sounds, like the ringdove's, amorous, foft and fvveet ; 
That fnowy breait, now fwelled by ftorms of paffion, 
But which in happier days by love was heaved, 
By love for me ! — The leaft of theie, Ottilia, 
Gives to my heart a deeper ftab than all 
Thy words could do, were every word a dagger. 

OTTILIA. 

Thou prince of hypocrites ! 

C-ESARIO. 

Think'ft thou I flatter ? 
Then truft thyfelf— [leading her to a fountain.'] 
View on this watejy mirror 

Thine 



6 ALFONSO; Act I. 

Thine angel-form rene&ed — Lovely fhade, 
Bid this indignant fair confefs, how vain 
Eftella's charms were to contend with thine ! 
And yet—oh ! madman-^at Eilella's feet 
Breathing my vows, thefe eyes forgot, thefe lips 

Than rofes fweeter, redder -Oh ! I '11 gaze 

No more, for gazing I deteft myfelf. 

OTTILIA. 

This fubtle fnake, how winds he round my heart ! 
Oh ! didfl thou fpeak fincerely ......! 

CffiSARIO. 

At thy feet, 
Adored Ottilia ! lo, I kneel repentant. 
Couldft thou forgive— — - Vain man, it muft not be, 
Forgive the fool, who for a lamp's dull gleamings 
Scorn'd the fun's noon-tide fplendour ? for a pebble 
Who gave a diamond worth a monarch's ranfom ? 
No, no, thou canft not. 

OTTILIA. 

Cannot ? Oh Csefario, 
Thou lov'it no longer, or thou ne'er couldft doubt 
I can, I mud forgive thee ! — [ falling on his bofoni]* 

CESARIO. 

Beft Ottilia, 
No feraph's fong e'er bore a fweeter found 
Breathed in the ear of fome expiring faint, 
Than pardon from thy lips. 

ottilia. [Embracing him.} 
Thofe lips again 
Thus feal it !-— Yet to prove thy faith, I aik . . . . 

CiESARIO, 



Act I. A TRAGEDY. I 

/ ■ ■ 

CJESARIO. 

What can Ottilia afk, and I deny ? 

OTTILIA. 

The fcarf you wear 

cjesario. {Starting.'] 
Ottilia ! 

OTTILTA. 

Well I know 
It was Eftella's gift. I'll therefore wear it, 
And with her jealous pangs repay my own. 
Give me that fcarf. 

CJESARIO. 

And can Ottilia wifh 
So mean a triumph. ...-.? • 

OTTILIA. 

Ha ! Beware, Caefario 5 » 

My foot is on thy neck, and ihould I find 
Thy head a fnake's, I'll crufii it ! Quick ! the fcarf ! 
Am I refufed? 

CJESARIO. 

Ottilia, be perfuaded : 
More nobly ufe thy power. 

ottilia. [Suffocated with rage.] 
The fcarf! the fcarf! 

Cjesario. 
I value not the toy, nor her who gave it. 
Then wherefore triumph o'er a fallen foe ? 
It muft not. . . . Hark ! footfteps ! — Sweet, farewell ! 
Ere night we meet again. — [Going."] 

OTTjLlA. 



3 ALFONSO: Act L 

OTTILIA. 

Yes, go, perfidious ! 
But know, ere night thy head (hall grace the fcaffold ! 

c & s AR io. {Returning, ] 
Said'ft thou ? 

OTTILIA. 

Laft night my hufband's dreams revealed 
A fecret 

C^SARIO. [Starting, ] 
How ? thy hufband ? Marquis Guzman ? 

OTTILIA. 

He fpoke of plots — of foldiers brib'd ...... 

[looking round myJleriouJly> and pointing to the lower part 
of the palace .] 
Of vaults 

Beneath the royal chamber Wherefore tell I 

To thee a tale thou know'ft thyfelf full well ? 
T 'll tell it to the King . . . ^[Going.] 

C^SARIO. 

Ottilia, (lay ! 

OTTILIA.- 

The fcarf 

CiESARlo. [Giving it.'] 

'Tis thine ! — M life is in thy hands 

Be fecret, and I live thy Have for ever. [Exit, 

ottilia. [Jlone.~\ 
'Tis plain ! 'tis plain ! Traitor, thou lov'ft her frill I 
Am I for'faken then ? Oh fhame, ihame, fhame ! 
Forfaken too by one, for whom laft night 

t dared a deed which Ha ! the palace opens, 

3 And 



Act I. A TRAGEDY. 9 

And Jo ■! Eftella with the PrLicefs comes. 
'11 hence, but foon returning make my rival 
Feel what I fuffer now. Thus fell Megsera 
Tears from her heart one of thofe fnakes which gnaw ir, 
To throw upon fome wretch ; and when it flings him, 
Wild laughs the fiend to fee his pangs, well knowing 
How keen thofe pangs are, fince fhe feels the fame. 

[Exit. 

AMelrosa, estella, injs, and Ladies> appear on the 
ten' ace of the palace. 

AMELROSA. 

Forth, forth, my friends ! the morn will blufh to hear 
Our tardy greeting \defcending.~\ Gently, winds, I pray ye 3 
Breathe through this grove ; and thou, all-radiant fun, 
Woo not thefe bowers beloved with kifs too fierce. 
Oh ! look, my ladies, how yon beauteous rofe, 
O'er-charged with dew, bends its fair head to earth, 
Emblem of foirowing virtue ! [to Inis] Would 'ft thou 

break it ? 
See'ft not its filken leaves are ftain'd with tears ? 
Ever, my Inis, where thou find'ft thefe traces, 
Show thou moft kindnefs, moil refpecl. I' 11 raife it. 
And bind it gently to its neighbour rofe ; 
So fhall it live, and ftill its blufhing bofom 
Yield the wild bee, its little love 3 repofe a 

INIS. 

Its love ? Can flowers then love ? 

AMELROSA. 

Oh ! what cannot ? 
There 's nothing lives, in air, on earth, in ocean s 

c But 



10 ALFONSO : Act I. 

But lives to love ! for when the Great Unknown 
Parted the elements, and out of chaos 
Formed this fair world with one bleft bleffing word, 
That word was Love ! Angels, with golden clarions. 
Prolonged in heavenly ftrain the heavenly found : 
The mountain- echoes caught it ; the four winds 
Spread it, rejoicings o'er the world of waters ; 
And fince that hour, in foreft, or by fountain, 
On hill or moor, whate'er be nature's fong, 
Love is her theme, Love ! univerfal Love \ 

estella. 
See, lady, where the King 

AMELROSA. 

I hafle to meet him. 

[Enter Alfonso, and Attendants, 

AMELROSA. [Kneeling.] 
My father! my dear father ! 

ALFONSO. 

Heaven's beft dews 
Fall on thy beauteous head, my Amelrofa, 
And be each drop a bleffing ! — Cheered by morning 
Fair fmile the Ikies *, but nothing fmiles on me, 
Till I have feen thee well, and know thee happy. 

AMELROSA. 

And I were happy, if my eyes perceived not 
Tears clouding thine. Oh ! what has power to grieve 

thee 
On this proud day, when rich in fpoils and glory 

Cfsfario 



ActL a TRAGEDY.- 11 

Csefario brings thee back thy conquering troops, 
That brave young warrior ? Spite of Moorifh hofts, 
And all their new-found engines of deftru&ion, 
Sulphureous mines, and mouths of iron thunder, 
He forced their gates ! He leap'd their flaming gulphs ! 
Pale as their banner'd crefcent fled the Moors, 
And proudly ftreamed our flag o'er Algeflras ! 

ALFONSO. 

And with them fled Oh I have I words to 

fpeak it ? 
Thy brother, Amelrofa ! 

AMELROSA. 

How ! my brother ? 

ALFONSO. 

Oh ! 'tis too true. He thinks I live too long, 
So joined the Moors to hurl me from my throne, 
Guided their councils, fharpened their refentment, . 
And, when they fled, fled with them. 

AMELROSA. 

Powers of mercy ! 
Can there be hearts fo black ! 

ALFONSO* 

Poor wretched man, 
Where (hall I turn me ? where, fmce luft of power 
M akes a fon faithlefs, find a friend that 's true ? 
Where fly for comfort . . . , . 

AMELROSA, 

To this heart, my father ! 
This heart, which, while it throbs, fhall throb to love the?* 
Stream thy dear eyes ? my hand fhall dry thofe tears j 

c 2 Aches 



12 ALFONSO : Ac't L 

Aches thy poor head ? My bofom (hall fupport it ! 

And when thou fleep'ft, I '11 watch thy dreams, and pray 

" Changed be to joy the forrow which afflicts 

" My king, my father, and my foul's beft friend !" 

ALFONSO. 

My child ! my comfort ! — Yes, yes ! here's the chain, 
» jfh only chain that binds me to exigence — 
And mould that break too ... . Should'!?: thou e'er 

deceive me — 
Oh ! fhould'ft thou, Amelrofa 

AMELROSA. 

Doubts my father ? 

ALFONSO. 

No, no ! — Nay, droop not. By my foul, I think thee 
As free from guile, as yon blue vault from clouds, 
And clear as rain-drops ere they touch the earth \ 
Nor love I mean fufpicion : — where I give 
My heart, I give my faith, my whole firm faith, 
And hold it bafe to doubt the thing I value. 

AMELROSA. 

Then why that wronging thought ? 

ALFONSO. 

By fear 'twas prompted •, 
By fear to lofe, but not by doubt to keep. 
And well my heart may fear. Think, think how keenly 
Ingratitude has wrung that trufting heart ! 
Think that my faithlefs fon but rends anew 
A wound fcarce fourteen years had healed. 

AMELROSA. 

Griano? 

ALFONSO. 



Act I. A TRAGEDY. 13 

ALFONSO. 

He ! he ! that man .... Oh ! how I loved that man ! 
And yet that man betrayed me ! 

AMELROSA 

Is that certain ? 
Might not deception .... Slander loves the Court, 
And flippery are the heights of royal favour. 
Who (tumbles, falls ', who fails, finds none to raife him. 

ALFONSO. 

Nay, but I faw the writings ; 'twas his hand, 
His very hand, nor dared he difavow it : 
For when I taxed him with his guilt, and fhowed him 
His letters to the Moor, awhile he eyed me 
Infullen filence, then contemptuous fmiled, 
And coldly bade me treat him as I lift. 
Arraigned, no plea excufed his dark offence ; 
Condemned to die, no word implored for pardon : 
But my heart pleaded ftronger than all words ! 
I faved his life, yet bade him live a prifoner 
Or clear himfelf from guilt. 

AMELROSA* 

And did he never 

ALFONSO. 

Without one word or look, one tear or figh, 
He turned away, and filent fought the dungeon, 
Where three years fince he died .... Ah ! faid I, died ? 
No, no, he lives ! lives in my memory ftill, 
Such as in youth's fond dreams my fancy formed him, 
Virtuous and brave, faithful, fincere,and juft; 

My 



14 ALFONSO : Act I. 



My friend ? my guide ! — a phoenix among men ! 

How now ? What hafte brings fair Ottilia hither ? 

Enter OTTILIA, wearing the fcarf. 

OTTILIA. 

Pardon, my Sovereign, that uncalled I come 5 
You fee afuppliant from a dying man. 

ALFONSO. 

Lady, from whom ? 

OTTILIA. 

My hufband, Marquis Guzman, 
Lies on the bed of death, and, ftung by conscience, 
By me unloads it of this fecret guilt ! — 
Thofe traitor- fcrolls, which bore Orfino's name ...» 

ALFONSO. 

Say on, fay on ! 

OTTILIA. 

By Guzman's hand were forged. 

ALFONSO. 

> Forged ?— No, no, no ! Lady, it cannot be ! 
Unfay thy words, or flab me ! 

OTTILIA, 

Gracious Sir, 
Look on thefe papers. 

ALFONSO. 

Ha! 

\After locking at them, drops them, and clafps his hands 
in agony.] 

AMELR05A. 



Act I. A TRAGEDY. 15 

AMriLROSA. 

Father ! dear father ! 

ALFONSO. 

Father ! I merit not that name, nor any 
Sweet, good, or gracious. Call me villain! fiend! 
Sufpicious tyrant ! treacherous, calm affafiin ! 
Who flew the trueft, nobleft friend, that ever 
Man's heart was bleft with ! — Ha ! why kneels my child? 

AMELROSA. 

For pardon firft that I have dared deceive thee 

ALFONSO. 

Deceive me ? 

AMELROSA. 

Next to pay pure thanks to Heaven, 
Which grants me to allay my father's anguifh 
With words of moft fweet comfort. 

Alfonso. 
Ha ! what mean 'ft thou ? 

AMELROSA. 

Four years are paft fince firft Orfino's forrows 
Struck on my ftartled ear \ that found once heard, 
Ne'er left my ear again, but day and night, 
Whether I walked or fate, awake or fleeping, 
The captive, the poor captive full was there. 
The rain feemed but his tears ; his hopelefs groans 
Spoke in each hollow wind ; his nights of anguifh 
Robbed mine of reft ; or, if I flept, my dreams 
Showed his pale wafted form, his beamlefs eye 
Fixed, on the moon, his meagre hands now folded 
In dull defpair, now rending his few locks 

Untimely gray •, and now again in phrenfy 

3 Dreadful 



16 ALFONSO 



Act I. 



Dreadful he fhrieked ; tore with his teeth his flefh ; 

'Gainfl his dank prifon-walls dallied out his brains, 
And died defpairing ! From ray couch I flatted ; 
Sunk upon my knees ; I kifcd this crofs, ' 
" Captive/ 5 I cried,- « I '11 die, or fet thee free !"— 

ALFONSO. 

And didft thou ? Blefs thee, didft thou? 

AMEXROSA. 

Moved by gold, 
More by my prayers, moil by his own heart's pity, 
His gaoler yielded to rdeafe Orfino, 
And fpread his death's report.-— One night, when all 
Was humed, I fought his tower, unlocked his chains, 
And bade him rife and fly ! With vacant flare, 
Bewildered, wondering, doubting what he heard, 
He followed to the gate. But when he viewed 
The Iky thick, fown with flars, and drank heaven's air, 
And heard the nightingale, and faw the moon 
Shed o'er thefe groves a fhower of filver light, 
Hope thawed his frozen heart ; in livelier current 
Flowed his grief-thickened blood, his proud foul melted, 
And clown his furrowed cheeks kind tears came Healing 
Sad, fweer, and gentle as the dews, which evening 
Sheds o'er expiring day. Words had he none, 
But with his looks he thanked me. At my feet 
He fank ; he wrung my hand ; his pale lips prefTed it j 
He fighed, he rofe, he lied ; he lives, my father ! 

A LFONSO . [Kneeling.'] 
Fountain of blifs ! words are too poor for thanks 5 

Oh ! deign to read them here ! 

A MEL ROSA, 



ActL A TRAGEDY. 17 

A MEL ROSA. 

Canft thou forgive 
My long deceit , .... 

, ALFONSO. 

Forgive thee ? To my heart 

Thus let me clafp thee, beft of earthly bleflings, 

Balm of my foul, and faviour of my juftice ! 

Oh ! bleu: were kings, when fraud enfnares their fenfe, 

And paffion arms their hands, if ftill they found 

One who like thee dared itand the victim's friend, 

Wreft from proud lawlefs Power his brandifhed javelin, 

And make him virtuous in his own defpite I 

Enter ricardo. 

RICARDO. 

My liege, your conquering general, brave Caefario, 
Draws near the walls. 

ALFONSO. 

I haften to receive 
The hero, and his troops: that duty done, 
I '11 feek my wronged friend's pardon. Say, my child, 
Where dwells Orfino ? 

AMELROSA. 

In the neighbouring foreil 
He lives an hermit : Inis knows the place. 

ALFONSO. 

Ere night I '11 feek him there. And now farewell. 
Ever beloved, but now more loved than ever ! 
Oh ! Mill as now watch o'er and timely check 
My hafty nature > ftill, their guardian-angel, 

D Protect 



IS ALFONSO: Act I. 

Protect my people, e'en from me protect them : 
Then, after-ages, pondering o'er the pa,;e 
Which bears my name, mail fee, and feen fhall blefs 
That union moft beloved of man and heaven, 
A patriot monarch, and a people free ! 

[Exit nvith Ricardo and Attendants* 

AMELROSA. 

My good kind father ! fatal, fatal fecret, 
How weigk'® thou down my heart. ! [Remains buried in 
thought.'] 

OTTILIA. 
I '11 hade and calm 
Myhufband's conscience with Orfino's fafety. 
But when our Spaniih beauties throng the ramparts, 
Anxious to fee, and anxious to be feen, 
Why ftays Eliella from the walls ? 

ESTELLA. 

Both duty 
And friendship chain me here the Princefs ilays. 

oft i r ia. 
Duty and friei;dfhip ? h.uil me, glorious words ;— - 
Yet there's a fweeter— Love ! Boafb the gay band, 
Which circles brave Csefafic»*s "laurelled car, 
No y.utr, who proudly wears Elrella's colours* 
And knovv s no glory like Eilella's fmile ? 

ESTELLA. 

Ha : Sure 1 zrsy fight muil err ? ■ 

ottilia. [AJide.] 
She fees, anci knows it. 

ESTELLA. 



Act I. A TRAGEDY. 19 

EST ELLA. 

It muftbe that ! . . . . Princefs ! 

OTTILIA, [A/ide.2 
So, fo ! now flies fhe . 
To her (he-Pylades for aid and comfoi i. 
Oh ! mofi rare fvmparhy I How the friend ftarts ! 
And, truft me, changes colour ! 

AMELR03A. 

Say 'ft thou ? how ? 
Away, it cannot be I 

ESTELLA. 

Convince thyfelf then. 

OTTILIA. [AJtkJ\ 

Aye, look your fill ! look till your eye-ftrings break, 

For 'tis that fcarf j that very, very fcarf ! 

So now the queftion comes. 

ESTELLA. 

Forgive me, lady, 
Nor hold me rude, that much I wifh to know, 
Whence came the fcarf you wear ? 

OTTILIA. 

This fcarf ? . . . Alas ! 
A paltry toy ! a very foldier's prefent. 

ESTELLA. \ 

A foldier's ? 

OTTILIA. 

Aye. ' Twas fent me from the camp : 
But with fuch bitter taunts on her who wrought it .... 1 
breathed ever mortal man fuch thoughts of me, 
My heart would break, or his mould bleed for 't ! 

» 2 ISTELLA. 



£© ALFONSO: Act I. 

E STELLA. 

Say you ? 

OTTILIA. 

Nay mark — - u Rccelv r e 5 proud fair/'-^thus ran the letter — 
u This fcarf, forced on me by an hand I loath, 
With many an amorous word and iaftelefs kifs ! 
As I for thee, fo burns for me the wanton ; 
To me as thine, cold is my heart to her ; 
&for canft thou more defpife the gift than I 
Scorn the fond fool who gave it !"— — 

AMELROSA. 

Oh \ my heart ! 

XMIS. 

Look to the Princefs. 

OTTILIA. [Starting.] 
Ha! 

ESTELLA. 

She faints ! 

AMELROSA. 

No, no ! 

? Tis nothing — mid-day's heat. ..the o'er-powering fun 

I'll in, and reft. 

OTTILIA. 

Princefs, permit 

AMELROSA. 

No, lady ! 
I need no aid of thine — In, in, Eftella. 
Oh ! cruel, falfe Caefario I 

[Exit with Eftella* Inis, and Ladies. 

OTTILIA. 



Act I. A TRAGEDY. 21 

OTTIUA. [Alone/] 
Ha! IsVfo? 

And flies my falcon at fo high a lure ?— 

The Princefs I 'tis the Princefs that he loves ! — 

And (hall I calmly fee her bear away 

This dear-bought prize, my fecret crime's reward, 

My lord, my love, my life, my all ? She dies ! 

[Exit, 



END OF THE FIRST ACT. 



22 ALFONSO: Act II. 

ACT II. 

SCENE I. 

An hall in Caefario's palace. 

\Shouts heard without ] 

Enter CESARIO [a General's faff in his hand] followed by 
HENRiQUEz, Citizens and Soldiers, 

CESARIO. 

1HANKS, worthy friends! No further 1— Pleafed I 

hear 
Thefe (houts, which thank me for Alfonfo's fafety ! 
But though my arms have quelled the Moors, your love 
Alone can ihield him from a foe more dangerous, 
From his proud rebel fon ! — Farewell, allured 
I live but for your ufe ! 

Firjl Citizen, 
Long live Csefario ! 

Second Citizen. 
Long live the Conqueror of the Moors ! 

AIL Huzza ! [Exeunt. 

Manent czesario and henriquez. 

CffiSABlO. 

Kind friends, farewell ! — Aye, fhout, ye brawlers, 
fhout ! 

Pour 



Act II. , A TRAGEDY. S* 

Pour out unmeaning praife till the Ikies r'ng ! 
'Twill fchool your deep-toned throats to roar to-morrow, 
— <-; Long live Caefario ! Sovereign of Cailiie !" — 
Marked you, Henriquez, how the royal dotard 
Hung on my neck, termed me his kingdom's angel, 

His friend, his faviour, his Oh ! my tongue 

burned 

To thunder in his ftartled ear " The man 

Who raifed this war, and fired your fon's ambition, 
Your daughter's hufband, and your mortal foe, 
That man am I !" 

HENRIQUEZ. 

Then abfence has not cooled, 
It feems, your hatred ..... 

CffiSARIO. 

Could' ft thou think it ? thou, 
Who know'tl a fecret to all elfe unknown ! 
Know'ft me no (Iranger-youth, no chance adventurer, 
Whofe fword 's his fortune, as Caflile believes me j 
But one of mightieit views and proudeft hopes, 
Galled by injuttice, panting for revenge, 
Son of an hero ! wronged Or lino's fon ! 

H f nr i qy EZ. 
Yet might your wealth and power — yon General's ft aff-*» 
Alfonfo's countlefs favours 

CJESARIO. 

Favours ? Infults ! 

Curfes when proffered by an hand I hate ! 
Bright feems ambition to my eye, and fure 
To reign is glorious 5 yet (uch fixed averfion 

I bear 



£4 ALFONSO : Act IX; 

I bear this man, and fuch my third for vengeance, 
I would not fell his head, once in my power, 
Though the price tendered were the crown that decks it! 
Yet that too fhortly fhall be mine I — Say, Marquis, 
How fpeeds our plot I 

HENRI QUEZ. 

*Tis ripe : beneath his chambers 
The vaults are ours, the ileeping fires difpofed ; 
The mine waits but your word. 

CESAR 10* 
To-night it fprings then, 
And hurls my foe in burning clouds to heaven— 
O ! rapturous fight ! 

HENRIOJJEZ. 

And can that fight give rapture 
Which wrings with anguifh Amelrofa's bofom i 
She loves her father ..... 

CffiSARIO. 

Loves {he not her hufband ? 

HENRI QUEZ. 

She ? 11 hate him, when file knows .... 

C&SARIO. 

* She ne'er fhall know it ! 
All fhall be held her rebel brother's deed ; 
And while contending paffions (hake the rabble, 
(Grief for the fire, refentrnent ? gainfl the fon, 
And pity for the Princefs) forth I ? 11 ftep, 
Avow our marriage, claim the crown her right, 
And, when (he mounts the throne, afcend it with her. 

HENRIQUEZ. 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. 25 

HENRIQUEZ. 

Oh ! fhe will drown that bloody throne with tears ! 
And fhould flie learn who bade them flow 

CffiSARIO. 

Say on ... . 

HENRI QUEZ. 

She'll loath you 1 

CESARio. \With a fcornful fmite.'] 
She '11 forgive me. 

HENRIOJJEZ. 

Never, never I 
I know the Princefs ; know a daughter's love, 
A daughter's grief ... . . . 

CjESARIO. 

And are not daughters women ? 
By nature tender, truftful, kind, and fickle, 
Prone to forgive, and pra£Hfed in forgetting ? 
Let the fair things but rave their hour at eafe, 
And weep their fill, and wring their pretty hands, 
Faint between whiles, and fwear by every faint 
They '11 never, never, never fee you more ! 
Then when the larum 's hufhed, profefs repentance, 
Say a few kind falfe words, drop a few tears, 
Force a fond kifs or two, and all 's forgiven. 
Away ! I know her fex ! 

HENRIQUEZ. 

But know not her ! 
Her heart will bleed ; and can you wound that heart, 
Yet fwear you love her ? 

C.ESARIO. 

Dearly, fiercely love her i 
But not fo fiercely as I loath this king !— « 

E Hatred 



26 ALFONSO : Act II. 

Hatred of him cherifhed from youth is now 
My fecond nature ! 'tis the air I breathe, 
The ftream which fills my veins, my life's chief fource, 
My food, my drink, my fleep, warmth, health, and vi- 
gour, 
Mixed with my blood, and twifted round my heart- 
ftrings ! 

To ceafe to hate him, I mud ceafe to breathe !- 

Never to know one hour's repofe or pleafure 

While loathed Alfonfo lived, — fuch was my oath, 

Breathed on my broken-hearted mother's lips. 

She heard ! her eyes flamed with new fire; {he kifled me, 

Murmured Orfino's name, blefs'd it, and died ! 

That oath I '11 keep ! 

Enter melchioR. 

CiESARIO. 

Melchior ! why thus alarmed ? 

MELCHIOR. 

Fve caufe too good ! our lives hang by a thread ! 
Guzman is dying ! 

cjesario and henriquez. 
How? 

t MELCHIOR. 

Remorfe already 
Hath wrung one fecret from him ; and, I fear, 
The next fit brings our plot. 

CffiSARIO. 

Speed, fpeed, Henriquez ! 

Place 



Act It A TRAGEDY. 27 

Place fpies around his gate ! guard every avenue ! 
Mark every face that comes or goes — Away ! 

[Exit Henriquez. 
CESAR 10. 
I '11 watch the King myfelf ! .« [Going.] 

MELCHIOR. 

As yet he *s fafe. 
Soon as he parted from the troops, Alfonfo, 
By inis guided, tow'rds the foreft fped, 
To feek and foothe his late-found friend Orfino. 

ctesario. [Starting], 
Whom, whom ? Orfino ? what Orfino ? fpeak. 

MELCHIOR. 

The Count San Lucar, long thought dead, but faved, 

It feems, by Amelrofa's care — Time pre fie s 

I muil away : farewell. 

CJESARIO. 

At one, remember — 
Beneath the royal tower ..... 

MELCHIOR. 

Fear not my failing. [Exit. 

ca-SARio. [Alone.] 
He lives ! My father lives ! Oh, let but vengeance 

Fire him to fp urn Alfonfo and his friendfhip 

His martial fame, the memory of his virtues, 

His talents, rank, and fufFerings undeferved, 

Oh ! what a noble column to fupport 
My new-raifed power ! [ Going.] 

e 2 Enter 

/ 



28 ALFONSO: Act II, 

Enter ottilia. [Veiled 

OTTILIA. 

Oefario, flay I 

G3SARIO. 

Forgive me, 
Fair lady, if my fpeech appears ungentle; 
Such bufmefs calls 

ott iLi A. [ Unveiling. J 
Than mine there's none more urgent, 

CiESARIO. 

Ottilia! 

OTTILIA. 

Need I fay what brings me hither f 

CffiSARIO. 

Thofe angry eyes too plainly fpeak, that ftill 
Eftella 

OTTILIA. 

She ? DifTembler f fiend ! — Peace, peac« ; 
I come not here to rave, but to commands 
You love the Princefs, are beloved again .... * 
Speak not! She faw this fcarf ; her tears, her anguiOi 
Betrayed her fecret. Yes, you love the Princefs ! 
But, while I breathe, if e'er her hand is yours. 
Strike me dead, lightnings ! 

CiESARIO. 

Hear me ! 

s. OTTILIA. 

Look on this [/bowing a paper], 
CiESARIO. 

Tis Guzman's hand. 

OTTILIA^ 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. 29 

OTTILIA. 

He bade me to the King 
Bear it with other papers ; but my prudence, 
For mine own purpofes, kept back this fcroll. 
Lo! here a full confeflion of your plots — 
The mine defcribed — »the vault— the hour— the fignal— 
What troops are gained— the lift of fworn confederates— 
And forcmoft in the lift here ftands Csefario ! 

CJESARIO. 

Confufion ! 

OTTILIA. 

Nay, 'tis fo ! Now mark me, youth ! 
Either my hand at midnight as my hufband's 
Clafps thine, or gives this paper to Alfonfo ! 
Prepare a friar — at Juan's chapel meet mc 
At midnight, or the King ..... 

CiESARIO. 

You rave, Ottilia ! 
While Guzman lives 

OTTILIA. 

Young man, his hours are counted : 
Three fcarce are his— Laft night I drugged the bowl 
In which he drank a farewell to the world. 
Aye, aye, 'tis true ! Thou 'rt mine ! With blood I've 

bought thee ! 
Nothing now parts us but the grave, — and there,, 

E'en there t '11 claim thee ! If to-night thou com'ft 

not .... 

CvESARJO. 

I will, Hby eaven ? 

OTTILIA. 



SO ALFONSO: Act II- 

OTTILTA. 

Nay, fail at your own peril 
Your life is in my power ! my breath can blaft you ! 
Choofe, then, Csefario, 'twixt thy bane and blifs — 
Love or a grave ! a kingdom or a fcaffold ! 
My arms or death's 1 — By yonder Sun I fwear, 
Ere morning dawns, thou malt be mine or nothing I 

lExit. 

C^SARIO. 

Is 't fo ? — Thy blood then on thy head — This paper ..... 
— This female fiend... the fcarf too !,.. I muft ftraight 
Appeafe the Princefs ..... fome well-varnimed tale 
....Some glib excufe— Oh ! hateful talk ! Oh, Truth ! 
How my foul longs once more to join thy train, 
Tear off the malk, and {how me as I am ! 
The wretch for life immured ; the Chriftian Have 
Of Pagan lords *, or he whofe bloody fweat 
Speeds the fleet galley o'er the fparkling waves, 
Bears eafy toil, light chains, and pleafant bondage, 
Weighed with thy fervice, Falfehood ! Stil! to fmilc 
On thofe we loath ; to' teach the lips a leflbn 
Smooth, fweet, and falfe j to watch the tell-tale eye, 
Fafiiion each feature, fift each honeft word 
That fwells upon the tongue, and fear to find 
A traitor in one's felf! — By Heaven, I know 
No toil, no curfe, no flavery, like diflembling ! 

[Exit. 



SCENE 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. . 31 

SCENE II. 

A wild for eft, with rods, water-falls, &c. On one fide 
an hermitage and a ruflic tomb, with various pieces cf 
armour fcattered near it, u victoria" is engraved on 
it ; a river is in the hack ground. 
oRsino Jlands on a rock which ever hangs the river, 

ORSINO. 

Yes, thou art lovely, World ! That blue-robed Iky •, . 
Thefe giant rocks, their forms grotefque and awful 
Reflected on the cairn dream's lucid mirror ; 
Thefe reverend oaks, through which (their ruftling leaves 
Dancing and twinkling in the fun-beams) light 
Now gleams, now difappears, while yon fierce torrent, 
Tumbling from crag to crag with meafured dafn, 
Makes to the ear ftrange mufic : World ! oh, World ! 
Who fees thee fuch mult needs confefs thee fair ! 
Who knows thee not muft needs fuppofe thee good ! 
[With afudden bjtrfi of indignation.'] 

But I have tried thee, World ! know all thefe beauties 
Mere mows andfnares ; know thee a gilded ferpent, 
A flowery bank, whofe fweets fmile o'er a pit-fall ; 
A fplendid prifon, precious tomb, fair palace 
Whofe golden domes allure poor wanderers in, 
And, when they've entered, crufti them ! Such I know the e 
And, knowing, loath thy charms ! Rife, rife, ye florins ! 
Mingle, ye elements ! Flam, lightnings, flam ! 
Unmafk this witch ! blaft her pernicious beauty! 
Andfhow me Nature as (he is, a monfter ! 
—I '11 look no more ! Oh ! my torn heart ! Victoria ! 
My fon ! Oh God ! My fon ! Loft ! loft I Both loft ! 

[Leaning againjl the tomb, ] 
4 Enter 



32 ALFONSO: Act II. 

Enter alfonso, in is, and Attendants. 

INIS. 

This is the hermit's cave ; and fee, my liege, Orfino's 
felf. 

Alfonso, [Starting back.'] 
No, no, that living fpe&re 
Is not my gallant friend ! I feek in vain 
The full cheek's healthful glow, the eye of fire, 
The martial m"en, proud gait, and limbs Herculean ! 
Oh ! is that death-like form indeed Orfino ? 

ORSINO. 

Never to fee them more ! Never, no never ! 
Wife, child, joy, hope, all gone ! 

ALFONSO, 

That voice ! Oh! Heaven, 
Too well I know that voice ! — How grief has changed 

him ! 
I'll fpeak, yet dread , . ♦ . Retire [Inis, SsV. withdraw.] 
Look up, Orfino. 

ORSINO. 

Di (covered ! 
[Stizing a i^nce which refts againjl the cavern, and putting 
him/elfin a pojiure of defence]. 
Wretch, thy life . , . . {daggering back] Strengthen me^ 

heaven ! 
>Tis he ! the King himfelf ! 

ALFONSO. [ Offering to take his hand. ] 
Thy friend ! 

ORSINO. 

[Recovering himfelf and drawing back his hand.] 

Friend ! friend ! ■ " 

I 've none ^[Coldly.] 

ALFONSO.. 



Act II, A TRAGEDY. 33 

ALFONSO. 

Orfino ! 

CRSINO. 

Never had but one, 
And he .... ! Sir, though a king, you 'd fhrink to hear 
How that friend ufed me ! 

ALFONSO. 

Hear me fpeak, in pity ! 

ORSINO. 

What need of words ? I 'm found, I 'm in your power, 
And you may torture me e'en how you lift. 
Where are your chains ? Thefe are the felf-fame arms 
Which bore them ten long years, nor doubt their weigh- 
ing 
Heavy as ever ! Thefe fame eyes, which bathed 
So oft with bitterer! tears your dungeon-grate, 
Have dreams not yet exhaufted ! and thefe lips 
Can (till with fhrieks make the Black Tower re-echo 5 
Which heard my voice fo long in frantic angui(h 
Rave of my wife and child, and curfe Alfonfo ! 
Lead on, Sir ! I 'm your prifoner 1 

ALFONSO. 

Not for worlds 
Would I but harm one hair of thine ! — Nay, hear me! 
And learn, moft wronged Orfino, thy clear innocence 
Is now well known to all. 

ORSINO. 

Aye? Nay, I care not 
Who thinks me innocent ! I know my/elf fo— 
Was this your bufinefs. Sir ? 'Tis dyne ! Farewell. 

ALFONSO. 



34 ALFONSO i Act It. 

ALFONSO. 

Oh ! part not from me thus ! I fain would fay 



orsino. / 

What ? 

ALFONSO. 

I have wronged thee ! . . * . 

orsino. [Sternly, 1 
True ! 

i ALFONSO. 

Deeply, moll deeply ! 
But wounding thine, hurt my own heart no lefs, 
Where none has filled thy place : 'tis thine, (till thine — * 
And if my Court 

ORSINO. 

What mould I there ? No, no, Sir * 
Sorrow has crazed my wits ; long cramped by fetters 
My arm finks ppwerlefs 5. and my wafted limbs, 
Palfied by dungeon-damps, would bend and totter 
Beneath yon armour's weight, once borne fo lightly ! — - 
Then what mould I at Court ? I cannot head 
Your troops, nor guide your councils : Leave me, leave 

You cannot ufe me further \ 

ALFONSOv 

Oh ! I mull, 
And to a mod dear fervice — My heart bleeds, 
And needs a friend ! Be but that friend once more ! 
Be to me what thou wert, (and that was, all things !) 
Forgive my faults 3 forget thy injuries 

ORSINO* 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. . B5 

OR si NO. [Pnjflonately.'] 
Never ! 

ALFONSO. 

That to Alfonfo ? That to him, whofe friendfhip .... 

ORSINO. 

Peace, peace ! You felt no friendfhip ! felt no flame, 
Steady and ftrong ! — Yours was a vain light vapour, 
A boyifh fancy, a caprice, an habit, 
A bond you wearied of, and gladly feized 
A lame pretext to break. Did not my heart 
From earlieft youth lie naked to your eyes ? 
Knew you not every corner, nerve, turn, twin: on 't ? 
And could you Itill fuipecr . . . ? No, no ! You wilhed 
To find me falfe, or muft have known me true. 

ALFONSO. 

• You wrong me, on my life! So fine, fo fkilful 
The fnare was fpreaci .... I knew not 

ORSINO. 

Knew not ? Knew not ? 
Thou knew'ft I was Orfino ! Knowing that, 
Thou mould'ft have known, I never could be guilty. 

ALFONSO. 

Proofs feemed fo fTrong .... 

OE2INO. 

And had I none to prove 

My innocence ? Thefe deep-hewn fears, received 
While righting in your caufe, were thefe no proofs ? 
Your life twice faved by me ! your very breath 
My gift ! your crown oft refcued by my valour! 
Were thefe no proofs ?• My every word, thought, a£Hon 5 

f 2 My 



36 ALFONSO : Acr II. 

My fpotlefs life, my rank, my pride, my honour, 
And, more than all, the love I ever bore thee, 
Were thefe no proofs ? — Oh ! they had been conviction 
In a friend's eyes, though they were none in thine ! 

ALFONSO. 

Your pride ? 'Twas that undid me ! Your referve, 

Your filence 

orsino. 
What ! Should I have (looped to chafe 
Your brawling lawyers through their flaws and quibbles ? 
To bear the fneers of faucy questioners — 
Their j'efts, their lies — and, when they termed me villain, 
Calmly to cry — <c Good Sirs, I 'm none !" — No, no : 
I heard myfelf called traitor — 4a w you calmly 
Hear me fo called, nor ftrike the fpeaker dead ! 
Then why defend myfelf? What hope was left me? 
Truth loll: its value, fince you thought me falfe ! 
Speech had been vain, fmce your heart fpoke not. for me. 

ALFONSO. 

And it r/zVfpeak . . . Spite of the law's decifion, 
My love preferved your life 

orsino. 
Oh ! bounteous favour! 
Oh! vaft munificence! which, giving life, 
Robbed mc of every gem which made life precious! 
"Where is my wife ? Diffracted at my lofs, 
Sunk to her cold grave with a broken heart ! 
Where is my fon ? Or dead through want, or wandering 
A friendlefs outcaft ! Where that health, that vigour, 
Thofe iron nerves, once mine?— King, afk your dungeons ! 

ALFONSO. 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. 37 

ALFONSO* 

Oh ! fpare me ! 

ORSINO. 

Give me thefe again, wife, fon, 
Health, ftrength, and ten moft precious years of man- 
hood, 
And I '11 perhaps forgive thee : till then, never! 

ALFONSO. 

What could I do ? Thy fon had been to me 
Dear as my own, had not Victoria's pride, 
Scorning all aid . . ... 

ORSINO. 

*Twas right I 

ALFONSO. 

She fled, concealed 

Herfelf and child Had it on me depended ..... 

I cannot fpeak . . . My heart .... Oh! yet have mercy, 

Think I had other duties than a friend's 

Alas ! I was a king ! 

ORSINO. 

And are one ftill 

Have flill your wealth, and pomp, and pride and power, 
And herd of cringeing courtiers — flill have children 
I had but one, and him I loft through thee. 
7, I have nothing! Yon rude cave my palace, 
Thefe rocks my court, the wolf my fit companion — 
Loft all life's bleffings, wife, fon, health! Oh! nothing 
Is left me, fave the right to hate that man 
Who made me what I am ! — And would'ft thou rob me 
E'en of this laft poor pleafure ? Go, Sir ! go, 

3 Regain 



38 ALFONSO: Act II. 

Regain your court ! refume your pomp and fplendour ! 
Drink deep of luxury's cup ! be gay, be flattered, 
Pampered and proud, and, if thou canft, be happy, 
I '11 to my cave, and curfe thee ! 

ALFONSO. 

Stay, Or fin o! 
If ever friendfhip warmed, or pity melted 
Thy heart, I charge thee 

ORSINO. 

Pity? In thy dungeons, 
Sir, 1 forgot the meaning of that word. 
For ten long years no gentle accents foothedme— 
No tears with mine were mixed — no bofom fighed 
That anguifh tortured mine ! — King, King, thou know'il 

not, 
Hpw folitude makes the foul ftern and favage ! 

ALFONSO. 

Yet were thy foul than adamantine rocks 
More hard, thefe deep-drawn fighs 

ORSIN0. 

My wife's laft groan 
Rings in my ear, and drowns them, 

ALFONSO. 

And thefe tears 



Might touch thy heart 



ORSINO. 

My heart is dead, King ! dead ! 
'Tis yonder buried in Victoria's grave ! 



ALFONSO, 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. 32 

ALFONSO. 

Could prayers, unfeigned remorfe, ceafelefs affection's. 
And influence as my own unbounded 

orsino. 
Hold! 
I '11 try thee, and make two demands ! — But firft, 
Swear by all hopes of happlnefs hereafter, 
And Heaven's bed gift on earth, thine angel-daughter, 
Whatever I ajjk mall be fulfilled. 

ALFONSO. 

I fwear ! 
And Heaven fo treat my prayers, as I fhall thine ! 

OF.SINO. 

'Tis well: now mark, and keep thine oath. My firft 
Requeft is — Leave meinfrantly ! My fecond, 
Ne'er let me fee thee more ! — Thou had heard ! Begone ! 

[Exit into the cave. 
ALFONSO. 

'Tis well, proud man ! — Alas ! my heart 's too humbled 
To chide e'en him who fpurns it ! — 

INIS. 

Nay, my liege, 
Defpair not— — -Sure the Princefs 



ALFONSO. 

Right ! I ? !i feek her ; 
To her he owes his freedom, and her prayers 
Shall win me back this dear obdurate heart. 
Oh ! did he know how fweet 'tis to forgive, 
And raife the wounded foul, which, cruuVd and hmnbled, 
Sinks in the duft, and owns that it has erred \ 

To 



40 ALFONSO: Act II. 



To quench all wrath, and cancel all offences, 
Sure he would need no motive but felf-love ! 



[Exeunt^ 



SCENE in. 

A garden, 

amelrosa, \_Alone."\ 

And are ye all then vaniflied, fylphs of blifs? 
All fled in air, and not one trace, one {hadow 
Left of my bright day-vifions I Is not rather 
All this fome fearful dream ? — Caefario falfe ! 
I know 'tis fo, yet fcarce can think 'tis fo ! 
Gods ! when lad night, after long abfence meeting, 

What looks! what joy! and was then all 

deceit ? 
Did he but mock me, when with tears of rapture 
He bathed my hand j knelt ; fighed ; as had his voice 
By pleafure been o'erwhelmed, awhile was filent ; 
But foon came words, fweet as thofe moft fweet kifles, 
Which grateful Venus gave the fwain whofe care 
Brought back her truant doves! — So fweet, fo fweet 
Diftruft, herfelf, muft have believed thofe words ! 
Oh ! and was all but feigned ? 

Enter CJESARlO tf//^E3TELLA. 
ESTELLA. 

Wait here awhile ; 
I *11 try to foothe her. 

CSSARIO. 

My beft friend I 

JESTEUJU 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. 41 

ESTELLA. 

Withdraw ! — [Caefario retires. 

Still bathed in tears ? 

AMELROSA. [Throwing h erf elf on her bofom.'J 

Oh ! my foul 's fick, Eftella. 
My heart is broken, broken 1 

ESTELLA. 

Nay, be calm ! 
I bring you comfort. 

AMELROSA. 

How ? 

ESTELLA. 

Caefario fues 
For one fhort moment's audience ..... 

AMELROSA. 

I '11 not fee him ! 

ESTELLA. 

Dear princefs 

AMELROSA. 

Never ! Saw I not Ottilia 

Decked with my gift? Did I not hear Shame! 

fhame ! 
Go, go, Eftella, feek him ! Say, and firmly, 
We meet no more ! fay, that the veil is rent ! 
Say, that I know him wavering, vain, ungrateful, 
Flattering and falfe ! and having faid this, add, 
Falfe as he is, he 's my foul's tyrant fcill ! 

cesario. [Throwing himfelf at her feet.~\ 
Accents of heaven ! — My life! my love ! 

AMELROSA. 

Caefario ? 
Farewell for ever ! 

G CESAR 10 



42 ALFONSO: Act II; 

CffiSARIO. 

Nay, you mud not leave me. 
Hear me but fpeak . 

AMELROSA. 

Reieafe me ! 

CSSARIO. 

But one word 

AMELROSA. 

I '11 not be held !— Your pardon ! I forgot, Sir ! 
I thought myfelf {till miftrefs of my actions ! 
Still Princefs of Caftile ! — Now I remember 
I *m that defpifed, unhappy thing, your wife ! 
Sir, I obey ! — Your pleafure ! 

cssario. 
Oh ! how lovely 

Thofe eyes can make e'en fcorn ! Yet calm their light- 
nings — 
Once more let love 

AMELROSA. 

Never — the hours are paft 
When I believed thee all my fond heart wifhed j 

Thought thee the belt, the kindeft, trueft 

thought thee ..... 
Oh ! Heaven ! No Eaftern tale pourtrays the palace 
Of fay, or wizard (where in bright confufion 
Blaze gold and gems), fo glorious-fair, as feemed, 
Trickt in the rainbow-colours of my fancy, 
Csefario's form this morn ! — Too late I know thee ; 
The fpell is broke, and where an Houri fmiled, 
Now fcowls a fiend. Oh ! thus benighted Pilgrims 
Admire the glow-worm's light, while gloom prevails •, 

4 But 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. 43 

But find that feeming lamp of fiery luftre 

A poor dark worthlefs worm, when viewed in funftiine. 

Away, and feek Ottilia. 

C^SARIO. 

Oh ! my princefs, 
Deep as thy anger wounds my heart, more deeply 
I grieve to think, how thine will bleed at finding 
This anger undeferved ! 

AMELROSA. 

Oh ! that it were fo ! 

But no ! I faw my fcarf that very fcarf .... 

My own hands wrought it. — Many a midnight lamp, 
While thou wert at the wars, in toil I wafted, 
And made it my fole joy to toil for thee ! 
There was no thread I had not blefl ! no flower 

had not kill a thoufand times, and murmured 
With every kifs a prayer for thy return ! 
And yet thou gav'ft this facred work to buy 
A wanton's favours 

OffiSABlO. 

Say, to buy her filence ! 

AMELROSA. 

Her filence ? • ~ 

C.ESARIO. 

As this morn I left the palace, 
She marked my flight 

AMELROSA. 

Juft heavens ! 

C^SARIO. 

Though unrequited, 
Herlovchas long been mine.-— She raved j (lie threatened » 
Q% She 



44 ALFONSO: Act II. 

She would have vengeance ; flie would roufe the guards ; 
Alarm the king 

amelRosa. [Shuddering.'] 
My father! 

C^SARIO. 

But her filence 
Bought by that fcarf 

AMELROSA. 

Cxfario, could I truft thee! 

Were this tale true, could I but think .....' 



CtfLSARlO. 

FH fwear ..... 

AMELROSA. 

No ! at the altar thou haft fworn already 
Mine were thy hand and heart, and mine for ever: 
If thou canft break this oath, none elfe will bind thee — 
Yet did I wrong thee ? Art thou true ? I fain 

Would think thee fo But this fond heart, my 

hufband, 
Is fuch a weak fad thing, and where it loves, 

Loves fo devoutly ! Spare me, dear Csefario, 

Such fears in future •, let no word no thought, 
Cloud thy pure faith, for fo my foul dotes on thee, 
But to fufpect thee, racks each nerve, and almoft 
Drives my brain mad ! — Oh! could' (I thou know, Csefario, 
How painful 'tis for one who loves like me, 

To ceafe to love ! Ceafe, faid V. — No, my heart 

Ceafed to efteem, but never ceafed to love thee. 

[Falling on his neck."] 

CSS A RIO. 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. 45 

CiESARIO. 

My foul ! my Amelrofa! — Now all planets 
Rain plagues upon my perjured head, if e'er 
I break the vow, which here I breathe ! —This heart, 
Filled but with thee, and formed but to adore thee, 
Is thine, my love ! thine now, and thine for ever 1 

AMELROSA. 

Hark ! — Steps approach — Eftella ? 

Estella [who -has retired, advances hajii!y.~] 
Hafte, Csefario ! 
You muftaway ! the King's returned! I fee 
Histrain now loitering near the garden-gate! 
Fly by the private poftern ! 

C^SARIO. 

Straight I '11 follow. [Exit Eftella. 

And mull Heave thee, leave thee for fo long too ? 
The King's affairs now call me far from Burgos, 
And ere we meet again twelve hours muft pafs» 

AMELROSA. 

Ah ! me ! to love an age ! ' 

C^SARIO. 

Yet mould I leave thee 
With calmer foul, nor feel fuch pain in abfence, 
Were I but fure one wifh 

AMELROSA. [Eagerly.'] 

Oh ! name it, name it! 
But afk me nothing light in aclion : aflc me 
Something ftrange, hard, and painful ! Something, fuch 

As 



46 ALFONSO: Act II. 

As none would dare to do but one who loves. 
Name, name this blefled wifh ! 

CSSARIO. 

'Tis this— From midnight, 
Till my return, avoid the royal tower. 

AMELROSA. 

I promife •, yet what reafon 

CffiSARlO. 

When we meet 
Thou (halt know all •, till then forgive my filence : 
Seal with a kifs thy promife, then farewell ! 

[Here ALFONSO advances in filence ; his eyes are fixed 6ft 
his daughter, his hands arefoldedy and his whole appear- 
ance exprejfes the utmojl dejeclion.] 

AMELROSA. 

Farewell, fince it muft be farewell — But mark ! 
See not Ottilia ere you go ! 

C&SARIO. 

I will not. 

AMELROSA. 

And when the bell's deep tongue announces mid- 
night, 
Breathe thou my name, for at that hour, my love, 

I'll think on thee That hour ? Oh, fool! as if 

Hours could be found, in which I think not on thee. 
And muft thou go ? — Nay, if thou muft, away, 
Or I (hall bid thee ftay, and ftay for ever ! 
Farewell, myhufband! 

CESARIO. 

My foul's joy, farewell I [Exit* 

AMELROSA. 



Act II. A TRAGEDY. 47 

AMELROSA, 

Oh ! pain of parting ! 

[Turning round, her eye rejls on Alfonfo. She Jlarts-, 
and remains as petrified with terror. After a paufe, he 
pajfes her in filence ; but, on his reaching the door, /he 
rujhes towards him, her hands clafped in fupplication."\ 

Father ! 

[Alfonfo motions to forbid her following, and goes off.] 

AMELROSA. 

Oh ! I'm loft ! [She falls fenfelefs on the ground.] 



END OF THE SECOND ACT. 



48 ALFONSO : Act III. 



ACT III 

SCENE I. 

A chamber in the palace. 

Enter OTTILIA and INIS. 

OTTILIA. 

\fy AS it fo f.Jclen ?— What ! no caufe affigned, 
-And fo fevere a (hock too?-— Truft me, Inis, 
Thy tale alarms me ! 

INIS. 

On the earth we found her • 
Senfelefs and cold : we ralfed and bore her hither. 
Where {he revived only to figh and forrow, 
Wring her fair hands, and fhriek her father's name. 

OTTILIA. 

Tis wondrous ftrange ! — Mourning my own afflictions, 
This rumour reached me ; ftraight all elfe forgotten, , 
Hither by love and duty urged I fped, 
Nor come I truft in vain. — This phial holds 
Drops of moft precious power. — Good Inis, take it, 
And in your lady's drink infufe this liquid : 
My life upon her cure. 

INIS. 

Obedience be ft 
Will fpeak my thanks, Jior doubt .... Lo, where ap- 
proaches 
My lady's ghoftly father, holy Bazil ! 

Enter 



Ac* III. A TRAGEDY. 49 

Enter Father Bazil. 

BAZIL. 

Pardon that rudely thus I break your parley, . 
But from the King I come, to bid the Infanta 
Attend him here. — Good Inis, lead me to her. 

inis. 

Here lies our way— Again I thank you, lady ; 
Ere night I'll ufe your gift. [Exit with Bazih 

OTTILIA. 
And if thou doft, 

Go ring a funeral knell, and get thee mourning, 

And gather flowers to flrow thy lady's grave : 

Thou 'It gather none fo fweet, as that I wither ! 

— Hark ! 'twas her voice. — How at the found feemed ice 

To feize my every vein ! — My victim comes ! 

— I cannot bear her fight !— So young to die! 

So young, fo fair, fo gentle, and fo good ! 

With fuchan angel's life, and my foul's quiet 

Oh, God! Csefario, thou art purchafed dearly. [Exit. 

Enter amslro6A, bazil, estella, inis, and 

Attendants. , 

BAZIL. 

No paflion flumed his cheek ; his voice, his manner 
Though folernn, were not item ; and when he named 

you, 
A tear guftied forth, ere he could turn him from me. 
Then droop jfot thus, nor doubt paternal love 

H AM EL ROSA, 



SO ALFONSO: - Act III. 

AMELROSA. 

Oh ! 'tis that love diftracls me, for his love 
Was love fo great ! 'Twas but this morn he termed me 
The only tie, which chained him ftiil to life ! 
And. I have broke that tie ! 

BAZIL. 

Nay, gentle Princefs ! 

AMELROSA. 

Perhaps have broke his heart too • from his lips 
Have darned Joy's laft poor lingering drop, and mown him, 
, His only prop was frail as all the former ! 
Could Ibut think he felt like common parents, 
That when he found my fault, afFe&ion died, 
Then I were bled ! then / alone fhould fuffer, 
And, when his hatred broke my heart, could feek 
Some lone fad place, and lay me down and die ! 
Alas ! alas ! I know, I was his darling ! 
Know, by the joy I gave him once, too well 
How (harp the grief muft be, I caufe him now ! 

BAZIL. 

That partial love which cherifhed thus your virtues^ 
Will now abfolve your fault. 

AMELROSA. 

But when he frowns ? 
I ne 'er yet faw him frown, — but fure he's dreadful I 
Oh! ere I meet thofe eyes (which yet ne 'er viewed me 
But their kind language fpoke uncounted bleffings ) 
And find them dark with gloom, and dread with light- 
nings, 
Clofed be my own in death ! — Hark ! hark*! he comes 

In 



Act III. A TRAGEDY. 5 

In all his terrors ! comes to. fpurn and drive me 
For ever from his fight. — His frown will kill me ! 
Shield me, Eftelia, fhield me ! 

Alfonso enters, followed hy ricardo and Courtiers, 

alfonso. [Afide y looking at Amelrofa.] 
- Can it be ! 

Can fhe too have deceived ! — Retire awhile ! 

[Exeunt Eftelia, £$V, 

Manent alfonso and amelr.osa. 

ALFONSO. 

Princefs ! 

AMELROSA. 
\_Advancing with timidity ,^then rujhing forward^ and 
falling proflrate at his feet, .] 
My Father !— Oh ! my Father ! 

ALFONSO. 

Rife! 
Nay rife : what fear' ft thou? Wherefore weep, .and 

tremble ? 
Thou haft no caufe for grief ! The poifoned arrow 
Has pie Ted no heart, but mine ! Thefe eyes alone 
Need weep for what they J ve ktn ! Thou haft not felt 
What 'tis to lofe all faith in man ! to fee 
Joy and hope die together ; and to find, 
When all thy foul loved beft hung on thy neck, 
Each kifs was falfe, and each fweet fmile was hollow f 
Well! well ! 'Tis paft grief's curing! wondrous bitter, 
But muft be borne ', A few fhort months, and then 
The grave mends all. 

H % AMELROSA, 



:2 ALFONSO: Act III. 

i 

AMELROSA. [4f l ^ e '1 

Pangs of the dying finner, 
Are ye more fharp than mine ! 

ALFONSO. 

More tears ? — Perhaps 
You tremble, left my regal wrath mould crufli 
The audacious Have, who ftole his fovereign's daughter f 
No, Princefs, no ! I can excufe the youth, 
Nor look from mortals for divine forbearance. 
A fairer fruit, than ever dragon guarded, 
Courting his hand, and hung within his grafp, 
Pie could not choofe but pluck it. 

AMELROSA. 

Oh ! I would 
My heart could fpring before thine eyes, and (how thee 
Each word thou utter' ft, written there in blood ! 
That it could fpeak ! 

ALFONSO, 

What could it fay ? but plead 
The youth's fair form, high fame, and great acquire- 

. ments ! 
Gratitude that from ruffian hands he faved thee, 
Feelings too fond, and thus excufe thy love ! 
But could it e'er excufe thy long diffembling, 
Thy feeming confidence, thy vows all broken, 
Thy arts to lull me in a biifsful dream, 
From which the waking 's dreadful ? Why deceive me ? 
"Why bide as from a foe thy thoughts from me ? 
Why ba^uih me thy bofom ? Didft thou fear me - ? 

Didft 



Act III. A TRAGEDY. 53 

Didft fear my power, my pride, my wrath ? Oh! was I..., 
Was I fo harm a father, Amelrofa ? 

AMELROSA, [dfide."] . 

Heart, fure thy firings are fteel, or they would break 1 

ALFONSO. 

Yet Yis deferved ! I was too fond ! too partial ! 
Still loved thee better than my fon, whofe heart 
Perhaps this partial love has turned againfl me— 
If fo, my pain is juft ! — Daughter, I '11 chide 
No more j nor came I here to chide, but blefs thee. 
This parchment gives thy lord Medina's dukedom, 
"With all its fair domains ; the dowry promifed, 
When my fond bofom hoped that princely Arragon ....... 

But that's now pad ! — Take it — farewell — be happy. 

We meet no more ! 

AMELROSA. [Covering her face with her hands. ~\ 
Oh ! heaven ! 

ALFONSO. 

'Twere vain, 'twere cruel, 
To make thee toil to fan thy love's faint embers, 
Since faith is dead-, and though I ftill dote on thee, 
I '11 truft no more — Thy choice is made, and may 
That choice prove all thy fondeft dreams e'er pictured ! 
Bled be thy days as the firft man's in Edun, 
Before fin was ! B^ thy brave lord's affection 
Firm as his valour, lovely as thy form ! 
And (houldft thou ever know, with thy whole foul 
What 'tis to love a child, and hold it dearer! 

Than freedom, light, or life Oh ! may that darling 

Show thee more faith, than thou hail {hown to me. 
I've done— Have there the deed — Farewell! 

3 AMELROSA. 



54 ALFONSO.* ■ Act IIT. 

A ME I/ROSA. 

XGrafping the hand ivhich he extends with the parchment^ 
andprejfing it to her lips.] 
Have mercy ! 

ALFONSO. 

Mercy ? — On whom ? 

AMELROSA. 

An humbled, breaking heart, 
But which, though breaking, loves thee dearly, dearly ! 
Throw me not from thee ! 

ALFONSO. 

Haft not all thy wiihes ? 
Thy hufband's pardon, honour, wealth, and freedom 
To live with whom, and how, and where thou wilt ? 
What wouldft thou more i 

AMELROSA. 

That, without which all thefe 
Are nothing, and each feeming grace true curfes ! 
Thy heart ! thy heart, my father ! Give me that ! 
Thy whole,, whole heart, fuch as I once pofTefs'd it, 
Soft— kind — indulgent — open — feeling — fond 1 
'Tisthis I alk, — or, this denied, to die. 
g Yes ! itrike me at your foot ; fpurn, trample, crufh me ! 
Twift in my ftreaming locks your hand, and drag me, 
Till from my wounded bofom itreams of blood 
Gufh forth, and dye the marble red ! — All this 
Were far lefs anguifh to a generous foul, 
Than this fo torturing love, fo cruel, kindnefs ! 

ALFONSO. 

I will not hear ..... 

AMEIROSA, 



Act III. A TRAGEDY. 55 

AMELROSA. 

Oh ! leave me not, my father, 
Nor bid me leave thee ! Let my anguifn move thee ; 
Let not, though great, a fingle error lofe me 
The fruits of twenty years pafs'd in thy fervice, 
Which in thy fervice pafs'd feemed fhort as moments. 

ALFONSO. 

. It muft-not be 

AMELROSA. 

You would, but cannot hide it ; 
I ftiil am dear ! Each look, each feature fpeaks it, 
Speaks too a foftening heart — Oh ! hear its pleading. 
And bid me (lay ! I'll only flay to love thee 1 
Look on me! mark my altered form ! obferve 
The ftrong convuinons cf my gafping boforn S 
See my wan cheeks, eyes fwoln, lips trembling! feel 
How fcalding are the tears with which I dew 
This dear, dear hand ! Judge by thy own my fufferingSj 
And bid me ceafe to fuffer j when with force, 
Such as defpair alone can give, and louder 
Than fiends implore from their volcanic prifons 
The Arch-angel's grace, I cry to thee— "Have mercy.''— 

ALFONSO. 

My child No, no!— 'Twere weaknefs ..... 

AMELROSA. 

Weaknefs, faid'ft the*; ?. 
Oh! glorious fault ! Oh! fair defe& !— -Oh I w.eak«e& 
Patting all ftrength ! If to forgive be fin, 
How deeply then muft Heaven have finned to man ! 
Oh ! be thy faults like Heaven's ! Relent, my father I 
Pardon 1 Oh ! fpeak that word ! 

ALFGNSG. 



£6 ALFONSO : Act III. 

ALFONSO. 

My heart! my heart [ 
IvTy burfting heart ! 

AMELROSi*. 

That word, that blefied word, 
So quickly faid, fo eafy,, as 'twere magic 
Breaks forrow's fpell, and bids her phantoms fly! 
That word, that word, that one, one little word, 
And I am bleft ! — — — 

ALFONSO. 

[Tielding to his emotions, and clafping her eagerly to his hofomPy 
Be bleft then ! [Exit. 

AMELROSA. 

Now, ye ftars, 
Which nightly grace the fky, if ye love goodnefs, 
Pour dews celeftial from your golden vials 
On yon dear gracious head ! — Oh ! why is now 
My hufband abfent ? — Lend thy doves, dear Venus, 
That I may fend them where Caefario ftrays ; 
And while he fmooths their filver wings, and gives them 
For drink the honey of his lips, I'll bid them 
Coo in his eaY, his Amelrofa 's happy ! 
Joy, joy, my foul ! Bound, my gay dancing heart ! 
Waft me, ye winds ! To bear fo bleft a creature 
Earth is not worthy ! Loved by thofe I love, 
I've all my foul e'er wiihed, my hopes e'er fancied, 
My father's friendPaip, and Csefario's heart I 
Leave me but thefe, and, fortune, I defy tjiee ! [Exit. 



SCENE 



Act lit A TRAGEDY. 5? 



SCENE II. 

The fcrejl as before. 
Enter ciESARio and henriquez. ■ 

C&SARIO. 

He fpurned him, Marquis, fpurned him ! With fuch 
fcorn, 
Such genuine ardent hate, repaid his foothing ..... 
Oh ! by that hate I feel, the biood which fills 
Thefe veins is right Orfmo's ! 

HENRIQUEZ. 

'Tis reported, 
The King fhed tears. 

C^SARIO. 

Marquis, he wept, fawned, pleaded 
Remorfe, and fued for pardon with fuch fervour^ 
As ftarving fouls for bread ! 

HENRIQUEZ. 

Did not at this 
Orfmo's fire melt ? 

C^SARIO* 

Melt ? Like yon fortrefs-rock, 
(Which rears its tower-clad front above the billows, 
Nor heeds the winds that blow, nor rains that beat,) 
Proof againft tears, and deaf to all entreaties, 
Unmoved the ftern one flood, and frowned his anfwer. 
Oh ! fear not, friend : like me he loaths Alfonfo, 
And, when I place revenge within his grafping, 
Will fpring to reach it. 

I HENRIQUEZ. 



m ALFONSO: Act III- 

HENRIQUEZ. 

*T is pad doubt, his aid 
Were to our caufe a tower of ftrength ; yet ftill 

I fear, left Some one leaves the cave 1— 'Tis he 1 

1 '11 wait beneath yon limes. [Exit* 

orsino enters from the cave, 

CESARIO. 

Now by my life 
A noble ruin ! 

OR si NO. 

I return to Burgos ? 
For what? To mow my fears, and hear Court-Ladies 
Rail at the wars for making men fo hideous ? 
To bear the coxcomb's fneer, the minion's fawning, 
And fee fools fweetiy fmile at my good fortune, 
Who, when my death was figned, fmiled full as fweetiy? 
No, no, I '11 none on't. — [&«>/£ Caefario.] — Plagues and 

fiends! another? 
More gold and ' filk ! more mufk ; fair words, and lying ! 
Will thefe Court-flies ne'er ceafe to buz around me ? 
Well, bir, what feelc ye here ? 

CiESARlO. 

Revenge ! 

orsino. 
Indeed ? 
On whom ? 

C-ffiSARIO. 

On lawlefs Power ! — Aik ye for what ? 
A Father's wrongs and Mother's murder ! 

ORSIN^ 



Act III. A TRAGEDY. 59 

orsino. [Starting.] 
How ? 

That voice Let me look on thee well — Thofe lips ; 

Thofe eyes Oh 1 Heaven, thofe eyes too ! — I ne'er 

faw 
But one have eyes like thine, an earthly angel, 
And with the angels now ! — Fair youth, who art thoa? 

CiESARIO. 

Speaks not thy heart 

ORSINO. 

It does, youth, Oh ! it does ; 
But I '11 not truft it, for if falfe its whifpers 

So fvveet, fo painful Tweet ! Dear good youth, 

tell me, 
Spare a poor broken heart, and tell me quickly 
Thy father's name. 

CiESARIO. 

My father ? Oh ! that was 
A man indeed, and model for all others ! 
His country's fword ! his country's fhield ! an hero ! 
A demi-god ! — — And, great as were his actions, 
So were his wrongs ! 

> ORSINO. 

His name! His name ! 

CjESARIO. [Rujhinginto-h'is arms.] 
Orfmo ! 

ORSINO. 

I have him ! hold him here ! — Death alone parts us, 
My fon ! Victoria's fon !— Come, come, my boy, 
Kneel at this tomb with me $ join thou my fuit 
For the blefl duft beneath, and read through tears 

1 2 Here 



60 ALFONSO: Act III. 

Here fleeps thy mother. Wandering forth to feek her, 

Unknown her fate and thine, chance led me hither : 

I marked yon tablet, read yon piteous lines, 

Threw thofe now ufelefs arms for ever from me, 

Sank on Victoria's grave, nor left it more. 

Yet, yet I. died not ! — Amelrofa's kindnefs, 

Which gave me freedom, traced me to this fpor, 

And faved my life, my wretched life, which ftill 

I only ufe to mourn thy lofs, Victoria ! 

Know'ft thou, my boy, when her eyes clofed for ever* 

Whofe hand ...... 

C-ESARIO, 

Her fon's !— • 

orsino. \Grafping Caefario's hand,.] 
Was 't thine i 

CiESARlO. 

'Twas mine too raifed 
Yon rullic tomb, and 'twas this cave received her 
When, defperate at your lofs, (he fled the Court. 
Here long fhe forrowed, here at length fhe died, 
Died of a broken heart ! — Aye, weep, my father \ 
For know the King mall pay each tear thou fhedd'ft 
With drops of blood ! 

ORSINO. 

The King ? — Boy, name him not ! 
That found is poifon ! — I was once fo happy ! 
Was once fo rich ! -—And that one man dole all ! 
My curfe be on him ! 

C^ESARIO. 

Man, thy curfe is heard. 

ORSINO. 



Act III. A TRAGEDY. 61 

ORSINO. 

Is heard ? What mean'ft thou ? 

C-ffiSARIO. 

Vengeance ! Hark, Orfino — —■ 
Soon as my mother died, (believed Csefario, 
A young unknown) I fought the Court, where chance 
Gave me from ruffian -Moors to fave the Princefs. 
This made Alfonfo mine, and (till I Ve ufed him 
To further mine own ends. Joy, joy, my father ! 
My plots are ripe, the King's beft troops corrupted, 
His fon too through my arts declared a rebel, 
And ere two nights are pad, I '11 ftrip the tyrant 
Both of his throne and life — Roufe then, and aid ..... ! 
Now, fir ? Why gaze you thus ? 

ORSINO. 

I fain would doubt it, 
Fain find fome plea ...... No, no ! each look, each 

feature, 
And my own heart 'Tis true •, thou art my fon! 

C^SARIO. 

What mean you ? 

orsino. [PaJfionaUly.] 
Art my fon, and yet a villain ! 

c^sario. [Starting*] 

Villain? 

ORSINO. 

Deflroy Alfonfo ?— What ! Alfonfo 
The wife, the good ? 

CJESARIO, 

With thee then was he either ? 
Has he not wronged thee ? 

ORSINO, 



62 ALFONSO: Act III. 



ORSINO. 



Deeply, boy, mod deeply ! 



But in his whole wide kingdom none but me ! 

Look through Caftile ! See all fmile, bloom, and 

flourifh ! 
No peafant fleeps ere he has breathed a bleffing 
On his good King 1 — No thirft of power, falfe pride, 
Or martial rage he knows ; nor would he fhed 
One drop of fubje£t -blood to buy the title- 
Of a new Mars I E'en broken-hearted widows 
And chikilcfs mothers, while they weep the flain, 
Cuifing the wars, confefs his caufe was juft! 
Such is Alfonfo, fuch the man whofe virtues 
Now fill thy throne, Caftile, to biefs thy children \ 
What (hows the adverfe fcale ? What find we there ? 
My fufTerings ! Mine alone ' And what am i, 
That I (liOuid weigh me 'gainft the public welfare ? 
What are my wrongs againft a monarch's rights ? 
What is my curfe against a nation's blefiings I 

C.E3ARIQ. 

Yet hear me 

ORSINO. 

/ affift your plots ? / injure 
One hair that *s ftouriuhed with Alfonfo's blood ? 
No ! The wronged fub jeer, hates the ungrateful mailer, 
But the world's friend muft love the Patriot King. 

CESAR 10. 

Amazement ! Can it be Orfino fpeaking ? 
' Fis forne Court minion fure, fome tool of office, 
Some thread- bare mufe penfioned to praife the throne. 

4 This 



Act III. A TRAGEDY. 63 

This cannot be the man, whofe burning vengeance, 
Whofe fixed averfion ...... 

ORSINO. 

Boy, 'tis fixed as ever ! 
AlfoniVs fight, his name, his very goodnefs 
Forcing my pr.aifc, torture my foul to madnefs. 
I hate him 1 hate him ! — but ftill own his virtues; 
And though I hate, Oh ! Blefs the good King, Heaven ! 

CiESARIO. 

Oh! moft ftrange patience! mod rare flretch^of 
temper ! 
What ! Blefs the man, who thought you treacherous* 

bafe, 
Ungrateful ......! 

ORSINO. 

And becaufe he thought me fuch, 
(Remembering only what his fault defervts, 
Forgetting all that 's due to mine own honour,) 
Shall I become the wretched thing he thought me r 
Prove his fufpicions juft ? quit the proud ftation 
Where injured virtue towers, and fink me down to 

His level who opprefs'd me ? Oh ! Not fo ! • 

When hoftile arms drain every nerve to crufh me, 
Pang follows pang, and wrong to wrong fucceeds 
Piled like the Alps, each loftier than the lad one : 
To pay thofe wrongs with good, thofe pangs with kind- 

nefs, 
To raife the foe once fallen, bind his gored bread. 
And heap with generous zeal favours on favours, 
Till his repentant fpirit melts, and bleeds 

To 



64 ALFONSO: Act It L 

To think he ever pained an heart like mine, 

Such is my hate ! fuch my proud foul's whole object! 

The only vengeance noble minds mould take. 

C-SSARIO. 

Farewell then, fince far other hate is mine, 
And afks far other vengeance. — I '11 to feek it ! 

ORSINO. 

Stay, youth, and hear me ! Ere you quit this fpot 
(Since virtue has no power to chain or awe thee) 
Swear to forego thy traitorous fchemes, or ftraight 
I'll feek the King 

CESARIO. 

You dare not ! No, you dare not! 
Nay, ftart not ! I but know my power, and ufe it. 
Look on thefe lips and eyes ! they are Victoria's ! 
And {hall Victoria's lips be fealed for ever ? 
And fhall Victoria's eyes be clofed in death ? 
E'en while you rage, with looks fo fond you eye me, 
They fpeak, your love will guaranty your filence. 

ORSINO, 

*Tis true, too true ! But, dear and cruel boy, 
Though threars fucceed not, let thefe tears prevail, 
Tears for thy dying virtue- — Oh ! look round theej 
See to mankind what curfes bad Kings are, 
And learn from them the blefling of a good one 1 

CiESARJO. 

Father, in vain you urge me ! Know, I 've fworn 
Alfonfo's death ! my mother's (hade demands it ; 
Who alked that promife, with an oath confirmed, 
And what (he atked I gave \ 

ORSINO* 



Act III. A TRAGEDY. 65 

OR SI NO. 

Oh ! Wherefore didft thou ? 
Since (he required an oath to feal thy promife ? 
Thou (houldft have known thy promife muft be wrong. 
Virtue and truth are in themfelves convincing, 
Nor need the feeble fanction of man's iips, — ^ 

As the fun needs no aid from foreign orbs, 
Itfelf a fire-formed world of light and glory. 
What meant thine oath ? What meant thofe magic words> 
Save by thy lips to bind thy hand to do, 
What makes each wife head make, each good heart. 

mudder ? 
Thy impious vow ...... 

cjesario. 

Impious or juft, once fworn, 
v ro break it fure were fhame ! 

or si no. 

My fon, 't were virtue, 
When to perform it were the word of crimes, 
'Twas wrong to fwear ; be with that wrong contented ; 
A fecond fault cannot make right the firft, 
And acls of guilt abfolve no ad of folly*. 

CiESARlO. 

Guilt ? Then we jar for words ! I fee but glory, 
Where thou fee'ft guilt ! Yet call it what thou wilt j 
I may be guilty, but I muji be great. 

* " PromHes are not bindiog, where the performance is unlawful: 
the guilt of fufrh promifesis in the making, not in the breaking them. 

" Promifibry oaths are not binding where the promife itfelf would 
not be fo. — Thus Jephthah's vow was not binding, becaufe the per* 
fonpance in that contingency became unlawful. ''—Paty's Philofopty. 

K ORS*NO« 



66 ALFONSO: Act III. 

ORSINO. 

A dreadful word ! 

CJESARIO. 

A Crown ! A Crown invites me ! 
1\ glorious Crown I 

ORSINO. 

Glorious ? Oh ! No ! True glory 
Is not to wear a Crown, but to dcfervc one. 
The peafant-fwain, who leads a good man's life,,. 
And dies at laft a good man's death, obtains 
In wifdom's eye wreaths of far brighter fplendour,. 
Than he whofe wanton pride and thirft for empire- 
Make kings his captives, and lay wafte a world. 

CJESARIO. 

And is 't not glorious then to blefs my country 
By juft and gentle ruling ! fight her battles f 
Preferve her 'laws I 

ORSINO, 

Thou, thou preferve her laws ? 
Thou fight her battles, thou? I tell thee, boy, 
The hand which ferves its Country mould be pure \ 
Ambition, felfifh love, vain lutt of power 
Ravage thy head and heart ! and would'ft thou hold 
The judgment-balance with an hand (till red 
With royal blood ? Would'fl thou dare fpeak a penance- 
On guilt, thyfelf fo guilty? Canft thou hope, 
Caftile will truft her to thee ? God forbid ! 
]\Xad is that nation, mad paft thought of cure, 
Pail chains and dungeons, whips, fpare food, and fafting,. 

/Who yields the immoral man a patriot's name, 

And 



Act III. A TRAGEDY. 67 

And looks in private vice for public virtue! 
Thou play the patriot's part? Away ! Away ! 
Who wounds his Country is the worft of monflers; 
But good men only fhould prefume to ferve her-— • 
Thy guilt once feen ...... 

C-SSARIO. 

And who (hall fee that guilt 
When wrapt in purple, and the world's eye dazzled 
By the o'er-powering blaze a Crown emits? — 
What pilgrim, gazing on fome awful torrent, 
Thinks through what roads it pafs\i ? Let golden fortune 
But fmile propitious on my daring crimes, 
And all my crimes are virtues ! — Mark this, father ! 
The world ne'er holds thofe guilty, who fueceed. [Exit* 
orsino. {Alone i\ 

How fhall I act ? — He faid, within two nights! — 
Whatever is done, muft be done foon— -Oh ! how, 
How fhall T thread this labyrinth ! How contrive 
To fave my King, yet not deftroy my fon ! 
The Princefs ?— Ha! Well thought !— It {hall be fa. 
I 'llfeek her, and Aifonfo's life preferred, 
At once fhall pay her kindnefs for my freedom, 
And buy my fon's full pardon ! — Yes, I '11 hafte, 
And fnatch my fovereign from this gulph of ruin, 
I, I the Atlas of his tottering throne— 
Profperous, I fhunned ; Unhappy, I forgive him ; 
He reigned, I feorned his power— He finks, I J H fave him, 

[Exit, 
\ 

END OF THE THIRD ACT. 

n ACT 



&r ALFONSO: Act IV. 



ACT IK 



SCENE I. 

Amelrofcts chamber. 

AMELROSA [in white robes> and crowned with flow er/j, 
ESTELLA [with a letter]. 

AMELROSA. 

XJS ftrange !— At this late hour !— -In armour fay*ft 
thou ? 

ESTELLA, 

In fable armour •, round his ntck was flung 
A bugle-horn.r— In courteous guife he prayed me 
Give you this note unfeen. 

AMELROSA. 

Unfeen ?— rHow 's this? [Reading] 

<< One, not unknown, requefts an immediate audience 
" on matters moft important : Princefs, delay not, as you 
** value your father's life." 
Not figned ? — My father's life ! Eftella, fay, 
Did he not tell his name ? 

ESTELLA. 

He faid this jewel 
Would fpeak, whence came his letter-, 

AMELROSA, 

Ha !— The ring 
Igav^e Orfino I— Quickly feek yon ftranger, 

And 



Act IV. A TRAGEDY. £9 

And charge him wait me at St. Juan's Chapel 5 

Tor there to pafs the night in grateful prayer, 

E'en now I go Friend, fpeed thee; ! [Exit Eftella. 

amelrosa. [J/oneJj 

Doubt and terror 

My father's life? — And yet, for fuch a father 
What need I fear ? Heaven will defend its own, 
And wings of feraphs (hield that King from harm, 
Whofe proudeft title is — <l His People's Father," 
Whofe deareft treafure is his people's love ! \J±xit. 

SCENE II. 

St. Juan's clo'ifters by nmn-Iight.—Qn ofie ftde a Gothic 
chape/. 

OR si no. \_Alotie in black armour.'] 

Yes, this mull be the place— Eftella named 
St. Juan's fhrine, and fure 'tis for the Princefs 
Yon altar flames— Oh ! hallowed vaults, how often 
Ye ring with prayers, which granted would deftroy 
The fools who form them * ! Virgins there requeft 
Their charms may fire tt*e heart of fome gay rake, 
Who proves a wedded curfe — There wives a(k childreti, 
And, when they have them, find their vices fuch 
They mourn their birth — The fpendthrift begs fome 

kin f man 
May die, and vows that Heaven (hall fhare the fpoil— - 
While the young foldier prays his fword ere long 

* Vide Juvenal. Satire iq« 

May 



70 ! ALFONSO : Act IV. 

May blufh with blood, (and with whofe blood he cares 

not,) 
Swearing, if fo his arm* may purchafe glory, 
He'll pay its price, a thoufand human hearts. 
And all thefe mad, th'efe impious vows 'are ufhered 
With chaimt of cloiftered maids, and (well of organs — 
As could our earthly fongs charm Him, who hears 
Seraphs and cherubs Wake their harps divine, 
While the bleft planets, 'hymning in their orbits, 
Pour forth fuch tones, as reached they mortal ears, 
Man would go mad for very ecftafy ! — 
Well, well ! Such forms are good to force example 
On purblind eyes : But prayer from earth abftracled, 
Breathed in no ear but Heaven's * ; when lips are filent, 
But the heart fpeaks full loudly ; thanks the mufic, 
Man's foul the cenfer, and pure thoughts the incenfe 
Kindling with grace celeitial : That 's the worfhip, 
Which fuits Him beft who, pad all prayer and praife, 
Efteems one grateful tear, one heart-drawn blefling, 
Which, thanking God, declares that Man is happy. 
~-Ha ! Gleams of torches gild yon diftant aifle * 

Enter Father bazil. 

BAZIL. 

Stranger, what doll thou here, where now to offer 
Gifts at yon (hrine for wondrous favour fliown her, 
The Princefs haftens ?— -See (he comes : retire ! 

* St. Matthew, c. vi. v. 6 : " When thou prayeft, enter into thy clo- 

fet, and when thou haft fhut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in fe- 

cret ; and thy Father which feeth in fecret fhall reward thee openly." 

3 ORSINO. 



Act IV. A TRAGEDY. 71 

ORSINO. 

Your pardon, reverend father i I obey. [Exit Orfmo. 

■ 

A procejfion enters of Nuns and Friars nvhh lighted tapers \ 
then follow amelrosa, estella, inis, and Ladies^ 
carrying offerings. 

AMELROSA, 

I thank ye, holy friends ! — Now leave me here, 
Where I muft watch the livelong night, and feed 
Yon facred lamps, telling each hour my beads, 
And pouring thanks to Heaven and good St. juan. 
Till morn farewell — — 

RAZLIL. 

May angels guard thee, daughter, 
Pure as thy thoughts, and join thee in thy prayers ! 

lExeum. 

AMELROSA. \Alonc.~\ 

He is not here— Oh ! How my bofom throbs 
To know this fearful fecret 1 Sure he cannot 
Have miffed the place ? 

c RSI Ko^ \jSntertng '■ 

All's dark again, and filent. 
Perhaps her courage failed her, and (he 's gone. 
If fo, what muft be done ? — No, no i A fhadow 
Moves on the chapel porch i 'Tis furely fhe. 

AMELROSA. 

Hark !— Steps ! Orfmo ?■ 



n ALFONSO: Act IV. 

ORSINO. 

He 

AMELROSA. 

Oh! gfeod Orfino, 
What brings thee here ? Thofe words, " My father's life \ f9 
Like fpells by witches breathed to raife the dead, 
Filled my heart's circle with a crowd of phantoms, 
Doleful and ftrange, which groan to be releafed. 
Thy news ! thy news ! Oh, fpeak them in one word, 
And let me kno\|f the word ! 

ORSINO. 

Thy fears, though great, 
Are juftified by that I have to tell. 
Princefs, a plot is formed, and ripe fdf*ac*Hon, 
To fpoil thy father of his throne and life. 

AMELROSA. 

My father ! my good father ? 

ORSINO. 

What can goodnefs 
And moral duties 'gainft the affaults of paflion ? 
Thofe chains, e'en when they feem than diamond harder, 
Soften, calcine, and fail like duft away, 
Touched by the burning finger of ambition. 

AMELROSA. 

This vile, vile world ! Oh ! is there one on sartlv 
So loft to virtue, he would harm my father ! 

ORSINO. 

There is, and one mod favoured ! one who owns 
He long has lived neareft Alfonfo's heart; 

His 



Act IV. A TRAGEDY. 73 

His friend, his trufted friend ! and yet this traitor, 
This worft of traitors .... (fhame denies me utterance 1/ 
This traitor, Princefs, is Orfino's fon ! 

AMELROSA. 

Thy fon ? thy long loft fon ? 

orsino. 
Long loft, late found, 

And better than found thus, if loft for ever ! 
Go, Princefs, go ; preferve your fire : — I lay < 
Bound at my fovereign's feet this precious victim- 
Yet while you paint the ion's offence, paint alfo 
His father's anguifh ! Plead for him, dear lady, 
Oh ! plead for him, and fave him ! fince I own, • 
(Own it wkh (hame) dearer than air or eye-fight 
I love y I dote upon Csefario ! 

amelrosa. [Starting'] 
Whom? 

ORSINO. 

Csefario is his name, - , . 

AMELROSA. 

'Tis not ! 'tis not ! 
Or, if it be, it means not that Csefario ! 
Not my Csefario ! No, no, no ! 

ORSINO. 

A foldier, 
Who fays he faved thee once . . . . . 

AMELROSA. 

Peace ! death-bell, peace ! 
Thou ring'ft the knell of all my joys ! 

orsino. — . 

What mean'ft thou ? 

What fudden paffion 

I* AMELROSA. 



ALFONSO: Act IV 



AMELRQSA. 



Hear me, wretched father ! 
This fon, now guilty thought, but guiltier far, 
(Who knows with what idolatry I dote on 
My father, and yet plots to tear him from me !) 
Is one, to buy whofe barbarous heart, I fpurned 
Ail the world prizes— fame, refpecl:, and empire ! 
Nay, rifqued my father's love ! This man, this man .... 
He is ... . Oh Heaven ! . . . My hufband ! 

orsino. [Striking his forehead '.] 

Slave !— Wretch ! — Fiend ! 

And yet Orfmo's fon ! Alas r Poor Princefs ! 

Gav'il thou him ail, and rends he all from thee ? 
Was he thy love, and would he be thy bane ? 
Has he thy heart, and ftabs it ? Now, all plagues 
Hell ever forged for daemons, light ... 

AMELRpSA. 

Hold! hold! 
Oh ! curfe him not— No, fave him ! Some one comes »v 
We fhall be marked . . . This way, and let us ftudy 
How we may refcue bed 

ORSINO. 

No I let him perifh ! 
Periihj and feek the flames his guilt deferves : 
The fooner, 'tis the bstter ! 

AMELROSA. 

Silence, filence ! 
Dear friend, this way — -be patient!— Oh ! Csefario, 
And eouidft thou have the heart to torture mine ! 

[Exeunt, 
3 CJESARIO 



AerlV. A TRAGEDY. 75 

cesario enters muffed in his cloak. 
cjesario.. 

Not come yet ? 'Tis paft midnight, and 'twas here 
She bade me join her. — Ha ! why flame yon lamps \ 
Should any loitering monk . . . No, no, 'tis vacant, 

And all as yef is fafe. Fate! let this hour 

Be mine, and with the reft do what thou wilt. 

I hear her !— To my work then ! — Vv hy this fhivering ? 

— I would fain fpare her. — If (he yields to reafon 

'Tis well \ if not She 's here. 

Enter OTTILIA. 

I find thee punctual ! 
'Tis well for thee thou art fo ! By my life, 
If thou hadft failed me, I had fought the King! 
Where is the prieft ? — On to the chapel ! 

CSSARIO. 

Stay, 
And hear me ! for the hour is come, that weighs 
Our fates in the fame balance. Thus then briefly 
Thou art mod fair, in wit mod choice and fubtle j 
In all rave talents {till furpafiing Aly 
And for thefe gifts, and thy tang tried affection, 
I feel, I owe thee much ! owe thee firm friendship, 
Eternal gratitude, faith, favour, love. 
And all things, fave my hand 1 Except but this, 
(Which now I muft not give, nor couldft thou take) 
And alk what elfe thou wilt ! 

OTTJLIA. 

Mod gracious fir, 
For thy fair praife, and thefe fo liberal offers 
Of granting all, fave that which I would have, 

l 2 Accept 



76 ALFONSO: Act IV. 

Accept my thanks. I 've heard thee j now hear me. 
I '11 be thy wife, or nothing ! 

CiESARlO. 

Lady, lady, 
"You know not what you alk J 

OTTILIA. 

I know myfelf 
Worthy of what I alk, and know my power, 
Which you, it feems, forget. — Is not my dowry 
Your life and crown ? Let me but fpeak one word, 
And ftraight your fancied throne becomes a fcaffold ! 
No more, but to the chapel. 



OESARIO* 

OTTILIA. 
C/ESARIO. 
OTTILIA* 



If to move thee 
Ought would avails . 

It cannot. 
Once a king .... 
I fhare thy throne. 

CffiSARlO. 

'Mid all Caftile's fir ft honours 
Make thou thy choice 

OTTILIA. 

Tis made. 

C&SARIO. 

And ftill remaining 
My friend, my love . ... 

OTTILIA. 

Thy wife ! thy wife ! or nothing ! 



CffiS-ARIO, 



Act TV. A TRAGEDY. 77 

CIESARIO. 

Nay, then I '11 cruih thy frantic hopes at once : 

I'm married! 

ottilia. Starting.] 

What ?— I hope thou doft but feign ; 

For thy fake hope it, fmce, if true this marriage, 

Thou 'rt loft pad faving ! 

CESAR 10. 
Nay, unbend thy brow, 

Nor (lamp, nor rave — the Princefs is my wife. 

And frowns unbind not whom the church hath bound. 

The javelin 's thrown, and cannot be recalled ; — 

Thine be the fecond prize, the firft is won, 

And all thy grief and rage, that 'tis another's, 

Will but torment thyfelf. — Be wife, be wife, 

And bear with patience what thou canft not cure. 

OTTILIA. 

I will not curfe ! — No ; 1 11 not wade in vapour 
The fire, which burns within me. What I feel, 
My deeds will tell thee beft. [Going.] 

cmsXrio. [Detaining her.] 
Ottilia, (lav; 
If yet one fpark of love remains .... 

OTTILIA. \Pa£lonately!\ 
Of love ? 

Of love for thee ? — Mark me ! ere fets the fun 

My rival dies, and thou once more art free : 

But now fo deadly is the hate I bear thee, 

'Twill joy me lefs to fee thee mine, than dead ! 

Thy blood ! thy blood ! Tis for thy blood I thirft, 

And it (hall dream. — Farewell. 

CJISARI0. 



78 ALFONSO; Act IV. 

.C&SARIO. 

Go then, proud woman, 

I brave thy rancour Ere thou gain'ft the palace* 

I'll fpring the mine. 

OTTILIA. 

Indeed ? Now hark awhile, 
Then die for fpite, thou bafe, thdij baffled traitor! 
Six trufty (laves wart but my call to bind 
And bear thee to the King !— Aye, rage, rage, rage ! 
For I '11 invent fuch tortures to difpatch thee* 
Such racks, fuch whips, fuch baths of boiling fulphur, 
The damned fhall think their pains mere mirth- and 

paftime, 
And envying furies own their fkill outdone. 
I go to prove my words ! 

C&SARIO, 

Thou mud not leave me ...... 

OTTILIA. 

Worlds mould not bribe my (lay ...... 

GSSARIO. 

Thou *rt in my power 

OTTILIA. 

Thy power ? Thy power ? I brave it ! I defy it, 
Scorn both thy power and thee ! Unhand me > ruffian, 
I '11 not be held— Within there ! Haften hither ! 
Arithonio ! Lopez !< — Treafon ! Treafon ! 

CiESARIO. 

Nay then, 
This to thy heart- — -[Stabbing her.'] 

OTTILIA. 

Help, help ! Oh ! vile affaffin ! 

Enter 



Act IV. A TRAGEDY- 79 



Enter OR SING. [Hqftily*] 
ORSINO. 

Wh at clamours Hold ! You pafs not ! 

CESAR 10. 

Give me way, 
Or elfe thy life ..... . 

ORSINO. 

Ruffian, defend thine own ! [Exeunt fighting. 

OTTILIA. [Alone 9 leaning againjl a pillar.'] 

My blood dreams fail! I'm wounded ... deeply 

wounded ! 

My voice too fails : I cannot call for help. 

To hope for life were vain ; but for revenge 

Could I but reach the palace ( 'Advancing a fiiv 

JiepSy then finking on the ground Jl 'Twill not be! 
I faint ! — —Oh, Heaven ! 

Enter AMELROSA. 
AMELROSA- 

All 's hufhed again ! How fearful 
After thole (bricks appears the midnight calm ! 
— Crfino ? — Speak ! Grfmo ?■ — No one anfwers.. 
What can this mean ? 

OTTILIA. 

Fainter zno. fainter ftill ! 

And no one comes ! — > 

AMELROSA. 

Hark! 'Twas a groan! whence came it? [Seeing 
Ottilia.] Stranger, look up I 

OTTILIA. 



80 ALFONSO: Act. IV. 

OTTILIA. 

A voice I Oh ! bleffed found i 
Whoe'er thou art, mark well my dying word's ; 
A villain's hand I 'm wounded 

AMELROSA. 

Gracious Heaven ! 
Oh ! let me fly for aid 

OTTILIA. 

All aid were vainv 
Stay ! Mark ! Revenge ! — [Taking a paper from her bcfomJ\ 
This paper . . . take it . . . bear it 
Swift to the Royal Tower— lofe not a moment— 
Infill: to fee the King — take no denial. 
For 'tis of moft dear import. 

AMELROSA. 

Sure ! It mud be ... ? 
Ottilia 1 

ottilia. [Starting up wildly.'} 

Heaven, who fpeaks ? ' Tis fhe herfelf ! 
My victim, 'tis my victim !— Doft thou live then ? 

Haft thou efcaped Spare me, thou God of mercy! 

Oh ! fpare me this one crime ! 

AMELROSA. 

What means this paflion ? 
How wild fhe eyes me 1 How flie grafps my hand I 

OTTILIA. 

Anfwer, and blefs me ! Say thou didft not drink it ! 
Say Inis did not . . . While I fpeak, the blood 
Fades from thy cheek! Thine eyes clofe ! Dyijg pangs 
Diftort thy features ! Pangs, like thofe which ftiortened 
' Hit 



Act 17. A TRAGEDY. 81 

His life, whofe angry ghoft, gnra, fierce, and ghaftly, 
Comes gliding yonder ! See his livid finger 
Points to the poifoned cup! He frowns and threatens ! 
Pray for me, angel ! Pray for me ! I dare not ! 

AMELROSA. 

Alas ! poor wretch ! 

OTTILIA. 

Help ! help ! The fpectre grafps me, 
And folds me to his breafr, where the worm feeds ! 
He tears my heart firings! — Now he finks, he finks, 
And finking grafps me ftill ! and drags me down with 

him, 
A thoufand fathom deep !— Oh ! loft ! loft ! loft. [Dies. 

AMELROSA. , 

She 's gone ! — Sure earth affords no fight more 
awful, 

Than when a finner dies -She named the King ! 

Perhaps this writing. ... By yon favouring lamp 

I '11 find its meaning. [Afcending the chapel fieps. 

Enter orsino. 

ORSINO. 

Aided by the night 
The villain has efcaped me. [Seeing Amelrofa, who, while 
reading by the lump jujp ended in the chapel-porch, expreffes the 
moji violent agitation.] Princefs ! — Ha ! 
Why thus alarmed ? — [Amelrofa gives him the paper in 
fi'ence, ivith a look of agmyJ] This paper ?-~Heaven, 
what *s this ? [Reading. "\ 

- " My King, Caefai io plots your deftruclion : — A 

A M " mine 



82 ALFONSO: Act V. 

" mine is formed in the Claudian vaults, beneath th e 
u Royal Tower, and which the confpirators mean to 
,f fpring this night. This warning will enable you to 
" defeat their purpofe : Accept it as an atonement for 
*' the crimes of the dying Guzman. The mine is appoint- 
" ed to be fprung, when the clock ftrikes one." — 

[The letter falls from his hand* 

AMELROSA. [Rifling from the chapel in defpair^ 

One ! One !— 'Tis that already I—Oh ! He's loft I 
My father's loft !— Ere we can reach his chamber 5 
Twill fink in flames ! 

or si NO. 
That muft be tried — Say, Princefs, 
How may I gain admittance to the King, 
Nor meet delay ? 

AMELROSA. 
This fignet . . . [Giving a ring,\ 

ORSINO, 

'Tis enough. m 
Know you the Claudian vaults ? 

AMELROSA* 

I do. 

ORSINO. 

Away then F 
Reach them with fpeed ! cling round Csefario, knedL 
Weep, threaten, foothe, implore I, to roufe his feelings 
Ufe every art j at leaft delay his purpofe, 
Till thou (halt hear this bugle found ; that fignal 
Shall fpeak Alfonfo fafe. — Farewell* 

AMELROSA, 



Act IV. A TRAGEDY. 83 

AMELROSA. 

Oh! Heaven! 
Oh ! dreadful hour ! 

ORSINO. 

Take heart : if time allows me, 
I '11 fave thy father : if too late . . . 

AMELROSA. 

Then, then, 
What then wilt do ? 

ORSINO. 

What :' Plunge into the flames, 
And perifh with my King ! — Away ! away ! 

[Exeunt fever ally* 

SCENE III. 

A cavern. 
Enter melchior ivith a lamp, as from an inner cavern, 

MELCHIOR. 

Hum ! — No, he comes not ! Sure 'tis near the time. 
A light !— Who 's there ? — Henriquez ? 

Enter henriquez, lighted by lucio. 

HENRIQUEZ. 

Aye, the fame. 

MELCHIOR. 

Now, Lucio, where 's thy lord ? 

lucio. 
He charged me tell you, 
He would not fail at one. 

M 2 MELCHIOR. 



$i ALFONSO : Act IV- 

MELCHIOL. 

The reft wait yonder. 
Gomez, Sebaftian, Marcos, none are wanting*, 
Our Chief aloue is abfent. 

HEN'RIQUEZ. 

He '11 not tarry. 
Lead to the inner vault, I '11 wait him there. [Exeunt. 

Enter amelrosa. 

AMELROSA. 

Thcfe gleams of light .... I muft be near the place. 
—Voices ! — I'll on ! — Oh ! Heaven ! I can no further, 
— r-I faint! — I die ! — [Catching at a fragment of the cave 9 
againfl which foe leans as Jlupefied. — A paufe. — The bell 
flrikes One.~\ 
Hark 1 the bell gives the fignal ! 

Oh ! for a moment's ftrength Hold, murderers, 

hold!- [Rujbesoff. 

SCENE IV. 

[The inner cavern , partially lighted with lamps. In the 
middle^ folding-doors guarded with iron- bars.— -On one fide 
a rough hewn flair cafe leading to a f mall door above. "\ 

GOMEZ, MARCOS, and Ccnfpirators , difovered in lift* 
ening attitudes, 

GOMEZ. 

Tis ftrange ! the time is pad . . . , andy etnot here ? 

MARCOS. 

Heiiriquez too is abfent. 

GOMEZ. 



Act IV. A TRAGEDY. SJ 

GOMEZ. 
Steps approach. [Knocking at the folding- door. ~\ 
Who knocks ? 

HENRIQUEZ. \Wlthmti\ 

A friend. 

MARCOS. 

. The pafs word. 

HENRIQUEZ. 

Empire ! 

GOMEZ. 

Open. 

[Marcos unbars the door.'] 

HENRiquez, melchior, and lucio, enter through the 
folding- door s, which Marcos again clofes. 

GOMEZ. 

Friends, welcome ! Melchior, is thy work complete ? 

MELCHIOR. 

Complete, and fit for fpringing — Nought is wanting— 
The train is laid ; one fpark, and all is done. 
Our Chief alone .... 

GOMEZ. 

The private door unlocks ! 

HENRIQUEZ. 

Csefario only has the key. 

MELCHIOR. 

Tishe! 
[cffiSARio defends the flair cafe fiviftly ; his Icohs are nvild\ 
his hair flows loofe 9 and he grafps a bloody dagger .] 

AIL 
Welcome, Casfario, welcome ! 

cjesario. 



86 ALFONSO: Act IV. 

CJESARIO. 

Aye, fhout, fliout, 
And kneeling greet your blood-anointed king, 
This fteel his fceptre ! Tremble, dwarfs in guilt, 
And own your mailer ! Thou art proof, Henriquez, 
>Gainfl pity ; I once faw thee flab in battle 
A page who clafped thy knees ; And Melchior there 
Made quick work with a brother whom he hated. 
But what did / this night ? Hear, hear, and reverence ! 
There was a breafl, on which my head had refted 
A thoufand times; abreaft, which loved me fondly, 
As Heaven loves martyred faints ; and yet this breaft 
I {tabbed, knaves, ftabbed it to the heart ! Wine ! wine 

there ! 
For my foul *s joyous 1 [Gomez brings a g<>blet.~^ 

HENRIQUEZ. 

Friend, what means this phrenfy ? 
What haft thou done ? Where is Ottilia ? 

CiESAKio. [Dajhing down the goblet] 

Dead ! 
Dead, Marquis !--At that word how the vault rings, 
And the ground makes ! It fhall not make my purpofe. 
Murder and I are grown familiar, friends ; 
The affaffin's trade is fweet ! I've tailed blood, 
And thiril for more 1 Say, is the mine ..,..-. 

MELCHIOR. 

All's ready — 

casARio. 

Who fires the train ? 
henriquez, MELCHIOR. and all the Confpirators. 



ActIV. A TRAGEDY. 87 

CJESARIO. 

Oh ! cheerful cry ! 
Oh ! glorious ftrife for guilt ! Let each man throw 
His dagger in my cafque ; be his the fervice, 
Whofe lleel I draw. 

HENRIQUEZ. 

'Tis mine 

CiESARIO. [To LllClQ.] 

Thy torch, boy ! [Giving it to Kenriquez.] Take it, 
Here lies thy way — fpeed, fpeed, and let yon vaults. 
Shivering in fragments, tell my ravifned ear 

Alfonfo dies ! Away ! away ! [On his throwing open 

the folding doors, Amelrofa is di/covered. J 

AMELROSA. 

Forbear ! 

AIL 
The Princefs ! 

AMELROSA. 

No ! no Princefs *, 'tis a daughter, 
Fierce through defpair, frantic with fear and anguifti. 
Hear me, ye dread unknown ! Yon flinty man 
Ne'er knew a father's care, and knows not now 
What 'tis to love, what 'tis to lofe a father ! 
But ye (if e'er a parent's hand hath dried 
Your infant tears ; if e'er your eyes have ftreamed 
To fee him weep, knowing your hand but fcarred 
Gave him more pain, than his own heart torn piece- 
meal.) 
Oh ! fpare my father ! Bid thofe hours revive 
Which filial love once blefs'd j recall youth's feelings, 
And by thofe feelings learn to pity mine. 
Spare, fpare my father ! 

4 cjrsario. 



88 ALFONSO: Act IV- 

c ms A R io . [ Struggling to conceal his confu/ion.~\ 
Spare him ? Sure thou rav 'It ! 
What fears my gentle love ? 

AMELROSA. 

I 'm not thy love ! 
Not gentle ! Strange defpair has changed my nature % 
Steeled my foft bofom, braced my woman's nerves, 
And brought me here, prepared and proud to perifh, 
If my heart's blood may fave my fire's from dreaming. 
The favage tigrefs guards her new-born young 
With tenderer!, fierceft care j the timorous fwallow, 
If robber-hands approach her brood, defends it 
With eagle fury ; and what brutes will do 
To guard their offspring, born perhaps that day, 
Shall /not do for one, to whom I owe 
Full twenty years of love ?— Csefario, mark me, 
For by Heaven's Holt, no power fhall move my purpofe 
Or thou muft fave my fire, or murder me. 

HENRIQUEZ. 

What^muft be done ? 

M IXC HI or. 
Time preifes \ 

CJESARIO. [Recovering from his fuporJ\ 
Fire the train ! 

AMELROSA. 
\Interpofing between the inner vault axi/Henriquez.] 
I He (hall not ! 

CiESARlp. . 

Amelrofa ! 

AMELROSA. 

No ! he fhall not ! 
Back, ruffian, back ! and throw that torch away, 

Which 



Act IV. A TRAGEDY. 89 

Which burns to light my father's funeral pile : 
Here I '11 defy thy rage, thus check thy malice, 
Thus bar thy road, and, if thou needs wilt pafs, 
Make thee a way by trampling on my corfe ! 
I ftir not elfe ! 

CiESARIO. 

Nay, then I '11 ufe my power, 
And, as thy hufband, now command thee . . . , .* 

AMELROSA. 

Thou ? 
Man, thou canfl not command me ! 

oasARio. 
Art thou not 

My wife ? 

AMELROSA. 

I am •, but ere I was a wife, 
1 was a daughter, was a fubjecT: ; nay, 
Am ffcill a Princefs, and as fuch command 
Thee, traitor ! thee ! and bid thee turn from evil. 
[ 21? Henriquez.] — Away ! You pafs not ! 

CIESARIO. 

Force her from the door ! 

amelrosa. [Clinging to a column.] 
Oh I for the Hebrew's ftrengtli to make yon vaults. 
And crufh thefe traitors and myfelf ! 

j MELCHIOR. 

In vain 
You fyruggle. 

AMELROSA. 

Cut my hands off! flab rne ! kill me ! 

[They force her away .] 

K c^sariov 



90 ALFONSO: Act IV.. 

QJESARIO. 

Henriquez, to your work ! 

[Henriquez enters the vault*] 

AMEXROSA. 

Oh ! barbarous men ! 
Where (hall I turn .... Caefario, 'dear Csefario ! 

Once thou wert kind Aid, aid my prayers, ye 

angels, 
And force this cruel man to fave at once 
My hufband's honour, and my father's life ! 
Turn not away ! Look on me ! fee my tears, 
And pity me ! Friend ! hufband ! lover I all 
That makes life dear, I charge you ! I implore you . . ... 

henriquez. [Returning from the vault. .] 
The train is fired. 

amelrosa. [Dajblng her/elf on the earth,'] 
Barbarians ! Fiends ! Diftraction ! 
Fall, fall, ye vaults, and crufh me ! 
[A bugle horn founds^ Amelrofa Jlarts from the ground.] 
Hark, the fignal ! . . . . 
He lives ! he lives ! [Kneeling and clafping her hands.] 
Oh, Heaven ! my thanks 

CffiSARlO. 

'Tis done ! 

[The mine blows up with a loud explofion^ and the back part 
of the vault bur [Is into flames^] 



END OF THE FOURTH ACT. 



ActV. A TRAGEDY. 91 



AC? V. 

SCENE 1/ 

The interior of Orfmo's hermitage, 

Alfonfo is difcovered f.eeping. 
Enter orsino and ricardo. 

ORSINO, 

VjOME they in force ? 

RICARDO. 

At lead five thoufand ftrong, 
But ftronger far in loyalty than numbers. 
Scarce heard my tale, clamours of rage and pity 
Burft from the crowd, and every peafant fwore 
He 'd perifh or preferve that fovereign's rights, 
"Who ufed them ever for the poor man's good. 

ORSINO. 

Honefl Ricardo ! When to ferve thy King 
I judged thee trueit of the true, I erred not. 
The lords to whom/I fent rhee, what reception 
Found'ft thou from them ? . 

RICAE.DO. 

Such as almoft would prove, 
Ingratitude is not the vice of Courts : 
But when I faid,rOrfino was to head them, 
Their zeal, their joy .... 

ORSINO. 

No more. — Are they at hand ? 

N 2 RICARDO. 



92 ALFONSO: Act V. 

RICARDO. 

An hour will bring them here. 

ORSINO. 

We '11 then towards Burgos, 
And ere the fwarth Caftilian fees the fun 
Pour on his rip'ning vines meridian beams, 
Coefario's royal dream (hall clofe for ever ! 
• — [Looking on Alfonfo.]— He fleeps ! — Oh ! come, all ye 

who envy monarchs, 
Look on yon bed of leaves, and thank Heaven's kind-? 

nefs ! 
Which faved ye from the forrows of a throne. 

RICARDO. 

My dear, my injured matter ! 

ORSINO. 

Go, Ricardo, 
Watch for our friends ; and when from yonder rock 
Thou fee'il their forces, warn me. [Exit Ricardo. 

orsino. (To Alfonfc] 

Canft thou fleep, 
And fleep thus foundly on fo rude a pallet? 
There's many aprince(whofe couch is ftrownwith rofes,) 
Finds their fweet leaves but ferve to harbour afpics : 
There's many a conqueror ftretched on down, who parTes 
The live-long night to woo repofe in vain, 
And view with aching, reftlefs, fated eyes, 
The trophies which nod round his crimfon bed. 
But fraud, ambition, treachery, plots, and murder, 
In vain would baniih his repofe, who fleeps 
Watched by his profpering kingdom's anxious afcgel. 
And lull'd to flumber by his people's prayers. 
But fee !*— He wakes !— [Lowering his vizor. ] 

ALFONSO, 



Act V. A TRAGEDY, S3 

ALFONSO. [Waling.] 
Do what thou wilt, Csefario, 
But harm not my poor child ! — How now !— - Where 

am I ? 
— What place .... I fee it all T— Lo 1 where he (lands, 
Whofe well-timed warning fnatched me from the flames 
And led me hither. — Say, thou dread preferver, 
Myfterious ftranger, eafe a father's ariguifh ; 
How fares it with my child ? What news from Burgos ? 
orsino. 
Burgos believes thee dead ! Cjcfario Ells 
Thy vacant throne . . . . 

ALFONSO. 

I afk not of my throne ! 
My child ! Oh I fay, my child . . . . ? 

ORSINO. 

Is fafe, is well, 
And hopes ere long to fee her iire once more 
Adorned with regal pomp, and lord of Burgos. 

ALFONSO. 

Alas ! vain hope ! 

orsino. 

Not fo : thy faithful nobles, 
By me apprized, nowhafte to give thee fuccour: 
Ere night, Czefario falls ! and, piercing his, 
Thy j uft revenge mall print a mortal wound 
On his proud father's heart. 

ALFONSO. 

Kis father's ? 

ORSINO. 

Aye ! 

On 



94 ALFONSO : Act V, 

On his, who paid thy love this morn with curfes, 
Spurning thy proffered friendihip— Know'ft thou not, 
Csefario is Orfino's fori ? 

ALFONSO. 

Juft heavens ! 
And does Orfino love him ? 

ORSINO. 

Dearly, dearly ! 
Loves him to madnefs ! Loves him with like fury, 
As hates he thee !— Oh ! Glorious field for vengeance ! 
Think, how 'twill writhe lis haughty foul to hear, 
This fon, this darling, penfhed on the fcafTold, 
Branded, difgraced, a traitor, a foiled traitor ! 
Joy, joy, Alfonfo ! Ere 'tis night, thy wrath 
Shall gorge ttfelf with blood. 

ALFONSO. 

Now bleffings on thee, 
Who giv'ft me more than all my foes can take ! 
Come, come, my friend ! where are thefe troops ? Away { 
Forward to Burgos! 

OF.siNo. {Detaining him.] 
Whither now ? 

ALFONSO, 

To Burgos ! 
Down with the walls ! Make once Caefario mine ; 

ORSINO. • 

And then ? 

. ALFONSO. 

I '11 feek his father, grafp his hand, 
And fay,—" This {tripling Hole my darling daughter, 

" Betraved 



Act V. A TRAGEDY. 95 

(C Betrayed my confidence, ufurped my throne, 
** Aimed at my life, and almoft broke my heart : 
*' But he 's Orfino's fon ! Ovfmo loves him, 

" And all 's forgiven." [Orfino kneels stakes the Kings 

hand, and prejfes it to his lips.'] — How now ? 

orsino. [Raijlng his vizor.] 
All is forgiven ! 

ALFONSO. 

Tishe!— Orfino'sfelf! 

ORSINO. 

My pride is vanquifhed : 
My King ! -Thy hand, my King ! 

ALFONSO. 

My heart, my heart ! 
TJjsre find thy place, and never leave it more. 
Oh ! from my joy again to name thee friend, 
Judge of my grief to think thou wert my foe ! 
Hew could I doubt thee ? How commit an error 
So grofs ! 

orsino. 
No more ! E'en now thou pay'ft its penance : 
In this long chain of prefent woes, that error 
(Which feems at firfl fo light) was the fir ft link. 
It tore me frqm my fon : Eife, reared by me, 
Formed in thy Court, and fchooled by my example, 
My fon mud fure have proved thy trueli fubject. 
Oh ! Learn from th:s, how weighty is the charge, 
A monarch bears ; how nice a tafk to guide 
His power aright, to guide rt wrong how fatal ! 
If fubjects Gn, with thejn the crime remains, 

Wkh 



V$ ALFONSO: Act V. 

With them the penance ; but when monarchs err, 
The mifchief fpreads fwift as their kingdom's rivers, 
Strong as their power, and wide as their domains. 

Enter ricardo. 

oRsino. 
Now s friend ? . 

RICARBO. 

From yonder height I caught diftinftly 
The gleam of arms. 

orsiko. 
vTis well — Away, my fovereign, 
And join your troops , then fhape your march tow'rd* 

Burgos, 
Nor doubt the event, for who that loves his Country, 
To fave his King mall fear to die himfelf ? 
None, furely none ! The patriot-glow (hall catch 
From heart to heart throughout Caftile, as fwiftly 
As fparks of fire difperfe through fummer-forefts; 
Till all in care of thee forget themfelves, 
And every good man's bofom bucklers thine I 
Forward, my King ! — Lead on 1 [Exiunt. 

S.C E N E II. 

A chamber in the palace. 
Enter % HENRiquez and MELCHIOR* 
I $1 -MELCHIOR. 

And the gravi&councii 
Fell blindfold ixU&e fnare ? 

&' r ' l UENRIQUEZ. 



Act V. A TRAGEDY. p 

HENRI QUEZ- 

They could not fail, 
So well Csefario fpread it— With fuch art 
He told his tale, and in fuch glowing eolours 
Painted Alfonfo's worth, and his fon's guilt, 
That all cried vengeance on the Prince Don Pedro, 
And bade Qcfario mount his forfeit throne. 

MELCKICR. 

And he, no doubt, obeyed ? 

HENRIQUE^. 

In modeft guife 
He owned his union with the Princefs gave him 
Some rights, but vowed, fo heavy feemed its weight, 
He feared to wear a Crown, fo prayed them fpare him s 
Till won by urgent prayer at length he yielded, 
And kindly deigned to be a King. 

MELCHJOR. 

He *s here, 
And Bazil with him* 

Enter CESARIO, Father bazil, and Attendants*. 

CJESARIO. [Entering,] 
Bid her reft alTured ? 
Her King is her firft fubjecV But, good father, 
How bears her health this (hock? Say, looks (he pale? 
Does (he e'er name P 

BAZIL. 

She bade me lead thee hither, 
And claimed my promife not to tell thee mare. 
1 11 warn her, thou art here. [Going.] 

C&3ARIQ. 



98 ALFONSO : Act V. 



CJESAKIO. 

Say too, my heart , 
Shares every pang of her's ; that Crowns are worthlefs 
Eougbt with her tears ; that could my prayers, my blood, 
Reftore Alfonfo's life 

bazil. 
Hold '—On that fubjecl: 
What thou wouldll tell her, will come beft from thee. 

[Exit. 

CiESARIO, 

Ha ! — Meant he ..... . No ! Sure had he known my 

fecret, 
The monk had canted 'gainft the guilt of treafon, 
Thundering out faint-like curies '—Vile, vile chance, 

Which led the Princefs Yet what fear I now ? 

She keeps my fecret : then fhe loves me dill, 

And, loving, mull forgive me — Hark ! I hear her. <~ 

Now, all ye powers of bland perfuafion, (hed 

Your honey on my lips ! Come to my aid, 

Ye foft memorials of departed pleafures, 

Kind words, fond looks, fweet tears, and melting kifles ! 

Sighs of compaffion, drown her anger's voice ! 

Smooth ye her frown, fmiles of delight and love ! 

Make her but mine once mere, and this day crowns me 

Monarch of all my foul e'er wifhed from fate : 

Yes, in my wildeft dreams I alked but this, 

c< Love and Revenge ! A Throne and Amelrofa ! v ~~ 

Retire ! — i dread to meet her. 

j^Henriquez, &-c. Exeunt. 

AMELROSA. 



Act V. A TRAGEDY. 99 

AMELROSA enters, pale, end leaning on Father BAZIL.— * 
Estella, inis, and Ladies, follow weeping. 

AMELROSA* 

'Tis enough, 
Good Father, and one tafk performed, I '11 meet 
That hour with joy which fee ns to guilt fo fearful. 
Leave me awhile : Anon, if time allows it, 

We '11 talk again- Farewell, my friends. 

IN is. [Kneeling.'} 

Oh! Princefs! 
Oh! Royal vidim! 

AMELROSA. 

Nay, be calm, my Inis. 
Pafs a few years, and all had been as now, 
Perhaps far worfe : receive this kifs of pardon, 
And give it back in Heaven ! —Farewell ! 

[Exeunt Eddh, &V. 

Manent cjesario and amelrosa. 

CJESARIO. 

How grief 
Has changed her ! Ah ! how funk her eyes ! her 

cheeks 
How pale ! — She comes J— How (hall I bear her an- 
guim ! 

AMELROSA. 

Not to reproach, for that you fought a life, 
Which you well knew I prized above my own ; 
Not to complain, that when my heart repofed 
On you for all its earthly joys, you broke it, 

Q 2 I feek 



100 ALFONSO: ActV. 

I feek you now : but with true zeal I come 

To warn thee, yea with tears implore thee, turn 

From thofe molt dangerous paths, which now thou 

tread'ft. 
Oh ! wake, my hufband ! Clofe thy guilty dream 5 
Be juft, be good ! be* what till now I thought thee I 
That when we part (as ere two hours we muil) 
We may not part for ever. 

CiESARlO. 

How to anfwer, 

Or in what words excufe ! Could my bed blood. 

Wafh out thy knowledge of my fault .*.... 

AMELROSA. 

My knowledge ? 
And fay, on earth none knew it ! Say, thy crime 
To eye of man were viewlefs as the winds, 
And fecret as the laws which rule the dead : 
Could'fl hide it from thyfelf ?-— Would not He know it, 
Whofe knowledge more than all thou ought to dread, 
His, who knows all things ?— - Oh ! (hen -lighted mor- 
tals ! 
Oh ! vain precautions ! Oh ! mis-judging fenfe ! 
Man thinks his fecret fafe, for no ear heard it \ 
Man thinks his a£t unknown, for no eye faw it 1 
But there was One above both faw and heard, 
When neither ear could hear, nor eye could fee* 

CiESARJO. 

Thou lovely moralitl ! — Oh ! take me !■ fchool me I 
Mould thou my heart, and make it like thine own. 

AMELROSA. 



Act V s . A ULAGEDY, 2£& 

AMELROSA. 

Doft thou fpeak truth ? 

C«sario« ; 

Be that one a£t forgiven, 
And prove 

AMELROSA. 

Oh ! That were -light : As yet thou 'rt guiltf 
In thought alone : My father lives i 

CiESARIO. 

Indeed ! 

AMELROSA. 

He ftarts! — He feigned !— *Oh I for Heaven's lore* 
my hufband, 
Trifle not now I This hour is precious, precious I 
My foul is winged for Heaven, and flays its flight, 
In hopes of teaching thine the way to follow : 
Let not its ftay be vain ! Let my tears win thee, 
And turn from vice : Repent ! Be wife, be warned % ' 
For 'tis no idle voice that gives the warning ; 
I fpeak it from the grave ! , . 

C&SARIO. 

The grave ? 

AMELROSA. 

What fear'fl thou ? 
Why (hudder at a name r — Oh ! If thou needs 
Wilt tremble, tremble for thyfelf, not me. 
I die to live ; thy death may be for ever \ 
Short are my pangs \ thy foul's may be eternal \ 

CSSARRJ!. 



102 ALFONSO: Act V. 

CJESARIO. 

Die ?— Die !— Each word . . . Each look .. , . . Dread* 

ful fufpicicns 

But no ! It cannot, {hall riot be ! 

AMELROSA. 

It fhall not ? 
As I 've a foul, in one fhort hour, Caefario, 
That foul muft kneel before the throne of God. 

CJESARIO. 

Mean'ft thou 

AMELROSA. 

E'en fi>5 I'm poifoned ! 

t CJESARlOt 

Torture ! Madnefs 1 
Within there ! 

Re-enter Father bAziL* estella, 6fo 

C&SARIO. 

Help, Oh ! help ! The Princefs dies! 
I'llfpeedmyfelf 

amelrosa. [Detaining him.'] 
No, no, thou muft not leave me : 
My hour of death is near, and thou muft fee it ... • 

CiESARIO. 

Diftraaion i 

AMELROSA. 

Muft obferve, how cafm the tranfit, 
How light the pain, how free death's cup from bitter, 
When virtue foothes, and hope exalts the foul. 

6 I've- 



act v. a tragedy. m 

I 've fecn a finner die : La ft night I clofed 

Ottilia's lids, and 'twas a fight of horror ! 

Each limb, each nerve was writhed by ftrange con* 
vulfions, 

Clenched were her teeth, her eye-balls fixed and glar- 
ing ; 

She foamed, fye raved, and her laft words were 

curfes !—— 
But look, Csefario ! — / can die, and fmile ! 

[Sinis into Eftella's armu 

ciESARio. [In defpair.] 

My life !— My foul ! 

AMELROSA. [In a faint voice.} 
But while one moment's mine, 
By all thy vows of love, by thofe I breathed, 
And never broke through life, never, no, never, 

I charge thee, I conjure thee . 

[ Starting fuddenty forward!] 
Powers of mercy, 
Whence this fo glorious blaze ? 

CiESARlO. 

How her eyes fparkle ! 

AMELROSA. 

Look, friends ! Look, look ! — «-My mother, my dead 

mother, 

Rich in new youth, and bright in lading beauty ! 

She floats in air ; her limbs are clothed with light I 

Her angel-head is wreathed with Eden's rofes ! 

Heaven's fplendours rove amid her golden locks, 

While her bleft lips and radiant eyes pour round her 

Airs of delight and floods of placid glory ! 

She 



lte ALFONSO : Act V. 

She moves!— She fmiles!— She lifts her hand !— She 

beckons f 
World, &re«thee well !— Mother, lead on ! — I follow f 

TExit with Eftella, &c, 
CiEsARio. \_Alone.~] 
My brain ! my brain !-^-Oh ! I ne'er knew till now, 
How well I love4 her !- — —{Following her.] 

Enter HENRiquEZ. 

HENRIQUEZ. 

Turn, Caefario, turn 1 
We're loft ! Alfonfo lives j e'en now his troopa 
Affail our walls, 

jj CJESARJO. 

Confufion ! Is all Hell 
Combined 

Enter MELCHIOR. 

MELCHIOR, 

^ r Betrayed, betrayed ! The gates are opened 5 

The townfmen join our foes ; I faw the King 

Firil in the fight 

cjesario. 

The King ?— My brain is burning ; 
I'll cool it with his blood.-— Forth, forth, my fword ? 
Forth, nor be fheathed till I return thee dyed 
With royal gore — Away ! 
[Exeunt Henriquez and Melehior ; Csefario is following* 
when Amtixohjhrieks from within : he flops , and re- 
mains motionlefs.] 

am^lrosa. [Within."] 
Oh 1 Mercy, mercy ! 

JNIS. [Within.'] 
She dies 1 

ESTELLA., 



Act V. A TRAGEDY. * 105 

ESTELLA. ^Within.] 

Nay, hold her ! hold her down ! 

AMELROSA. \}Vithi?l.~\ 

Oh!— Oh! 

[Solemn reqmttm\ chaunted iu:thin.~\ 
Peace to the parted faint ! Pure foul, farewell ! 

[ The fcene cLfes. ] 

SCENE III. 

Afield of battle — alarums — ihunder and lightning. 

Soldiers crofs the Jl age fighting. 

Enter orsino. 

ORSINO. 

Oh! fhame, {hame, fhame ! — Sun, thou doft \^ell to 

hide thee, 

Nor light Caftile's difgrace. — Oh ! I could tear 

My flefh for rage ! 

Enter RICARDO. 

RICARDO. 

All 's loft ! — the foe prevails \ 
What mult be done, Orfino ? 

ORSINO. 

Where 's the King ? 

RICARDO. 

He fights ftill. 

ORSINO. 

Seek him ! fave him ! bid him fly, 
Fly with allfpeed : thou know'ft to find his courfer. 
Away • 

RICARDO, 

General, thou 'rt wounded ! 

? ORSINO. 



106 ALFONSO: AcrV. 

ORSINO. 

'Tis no matter. 

RICARDO. 

Thou '\t bleed to death 

ORSINO. 

And if I mould, I care not : 
The King, the King ! — Oh ! wafte no thought on me : 
The bed of fubje&s can but lofe one life, 
But thoufands perifh when a good King bleeds. 
Nay, fpeed ! 

ricardo. [Looking $ut.~\ 

See ! fee ! Our troops . . . . ■. 

ORSINO. 

They fiy> by Heaven ! 
Turn, turn, ye cowards ! 'Tis Orfino calls ! 
Follow, flaves, follow me, and die, or conquer ! 
[Soldiers enter purfued by Henriquez, Zsfc. Orfmo rallies 
them y and drives Henriquez back,] 

SCENE IV. 

Before the walls of Burgos. — The Jlorm continues* 
Enter cjEsario. 

CESARIO. 

Shall I ne'er find him ? Shall my mother's fpirit 
Still alk revenge in vain ? This flame, which burn 
My blood up, (hall it ne'er be quench'd with his ? 
?Tis he ! 'tis he !— I fee the high plume waving 
0*er his crowned helmet : — Thunders, ceafe, nor rob mc 
Of his expiring fhriek ! — Turn, turn, Alfonfo 1 [Exit. 
[Shouts efviclory."} 

Enter 



Act V. A TRAGEDY. 10; 

Enter HENRiquEZ, melchior, mar cos, gomez, and 

Soldiers. 

HENRIQUEZ. 

We triumph, Melchior ! — See our trufty fquadrons 
Range the field unoppofed. But where 's our chief? 

MARCOS. 

How now ! what clamour . . . 



• » 



MELCHIOR. 

Look, Henriquez, look ! 
Carfario and the King in fingle combat ! 

HENRIQUEZ. 

They come this way J— Hark, with their ponderous 
blows 
How their fhields ring ! — Csefario lofes ground ! 
Yield thee, Alfonfo ! — [Interpofing between Alfonfo and 
Casfario, ivho enter fighting* 

c^sario. 
Back, I fay ! Back, back ! 
No arm but mine 

ALFONSO. 

Caefario, paufe, and hear me I 
Whatever thou wilt 

c#sario. 
Thy life ! 

ALFONSO. 

Medina's dukedom, 
And Amelrofa . . . . , 

C2ESARI0. 

Flames confume the tongue, 
That names her ! Thou haft rent my wound anew, 

? 2 Recalling 



108 ALFONSO: Act V, 

Recalling what was mine, but is no longer! 
Look to thy heart, for if my fword can reach it, 
Thou dieft !— Come on \~lThey fight; Alfonfo lafes 
his Jwordy and is beaten on his knees.] 

CiSSARIO. 

Thou'rt mine ! — and thus 



[At the motrent that he motions to Jlab Alfonfo, Orfino, 

without h>s heliiieu deidly pale> and bleeding profuJely % 
rujbes in y and arrefts his arm J] 

orsino. 
Hold ! hold ! * 

fcjESARIO, 
My father. bleeding ! Honor ! 
orsino. 
Does that u?m r?:pe ? 
Ou ! by this blood, (a father's blood, the fame 
Which fills thy vems, and feeds thy life) I charge thee 5 
Shed not thy King's. 

CiESARlO. 

Father 5 thy prayers are vain ! 
He broke my mother's heart ! his own muft bleed for't I. 
Releafe my arm ! 

orsino. 

My fon, I kifs thy feet : 

* Should Mr. Hae R/s execute his prefent intention of producing 
this Tragedy at Covent- Garden Theatre, the remainder of this Aft 
will be omitted, and a new eataftrophe fubitituted, better calculated 

ror r spr <fen l at i on. 

Thv 



AcT A TRAGEDY. W 

Thy father kneels •, let him not kneel in vain. 
-Nay, if thou ftirr'ft, my deadlieft curie ..... 



CJSSAS.IO. 

'Twill grieve me, 

B11* vet e'en that I '11 brave :— Curfe \ frill I '11 ftrike ! 

No .rtore ! 

prsjno. 

Can nought appeafe thee ? 

CiESARlO. 

Nothing ! nothing 1 

ALFONSO. 

Nay, ceafe, OrGno : 'tis in vain ..... 

CiESARlO. 

T ae, true ! 
This to thy heart; 

ORSINO. 

Oh ! yet arreft thy fword ! 
My fon 

CESARIO. 

He dies ! 

©RSINO. 

One word ! But one ! 

CJE9ARI0. 

Difpatch then ! 

orsino. 

Swear, ere you ftrike the blow, if (till your power 
Anfwers your will, as now it does, the King 
Has not an hour to live ! 

CiESARlO. 

An hour ?— An age ! 
Thrones fhall not buy that hour. — By Hell, I fwear£ 
Alfonfo breathes his laft, if fate allows me 
To live one moment more ! 

6 ORSINO. 

4 



120 ALFONSO i ActV- 

ORsrNo. [Stabbing him.] 
Then die this moment. 

CESARIO. 

Mj heart t my heart !— Oh ! oh f 

[Faffs Hfelefs at Grfino's feet.'] 

ALFONSO. 

What haft thou done ? 

orsjno. 

Preferved Caftile in thee I 

melcbior. 
Hew him to pieces I 

HENRIQUE?. 

Monfler, thy fon 

ORSINO. 

He was fo > yet I flew him. 
Think ye, I loved him not ?~ Oh ! Heaven, the Wood 
My breaft now pours, gives me not half fuch pain 
As that which, (tains this poniard : yet I flew him, 

I, I his father ! And as I with him, 

So* traitors, fhall your Father deal with ye, 

Tour Father who frowns yonder. — [Thunder.] — Hark \ 

He fpeaks I 
The avenger fpeaks, and ftretches from the clouds 
His red right-arm,— See, fee ! His javelins fly, 
And fly to ftrike you dead ! — While yet 'tis time, 
Down, rebels, down! — Tremble, repent, and tremble} 
Fall at your fovereign's feet, and fue for grace ! 
[The Confpiratorsfink on their ^nees,] 

ALFONSO* 

Oh ! Soul of Honour !— Oh ! my full, full heart ! 

Orfino ! Friend 1— — * 

orsino. 



Act V. A TRAGEDY; 11 1 

ORSINO. 

No more ! — Thy hand ! — -Farewell. 
Life ebbs apace — Oh ! lay me by my fori, 
That I may blefs him, ere I die — Pale, pale ! 
No warmth 1 — No fenfe 5 — Not «ne convulfrve throb! 
Not one laft lingering breath on thofe wan lips 3 
All gone! All, all ! — So fair, fo young ! to die 
Was hartU .?moft &ard j Canfl thou forgive thy father, 
Canft thou, my boy? He loved thee dearly, dearly s 
And would to fave thy life have died himfelJ; 
Though he had rather fee thee dead than guilty. 
My fand runs faft. — Oh ! I am fick at foul I 
I '11 breathe my laft figh on my fon's cold lips, 
Ciafp bis dead hand in mine, and by my heart 
Clofe to his gaping wound, that it may break 
'Gainft his dear breaft. — My eyes grow faint and clouM. 
1 fee thy face no more, my boy, but frill 
Feel thy blood trickle ! — Oh 1 that pang, that pang ! 
*Tis done — All 's dark ! —My fon, my fon, my fon ! ^ 



E3?D OP THE FIFTH ACT, 



The following WORKS By M. G. Lewis, Efq. 
are publijbed by L BELL. 



i. AMBROSIO j or the MONK. Mh Edition, in 3 
vols. Price 12s. in boards. 

2. The CASTLE SPECTRE ; a Drama in Five Aa». 
Price 2 j. &/. Eighth Edition. 

3. The EAST INDIAN; a Comedy. Second Edition.. 
Price 2s. 6d. 

4. ROLLA ; or the PERUVIAN HERO, a Tragedy. 
Tranflated from the German. 

5. The MINISTER ; a Tragedy, from the German of 
Schiller. Price 4$. 6d. 

6. TALES OF WONDER. A New Edition in One 
Volume, fmall 8vo. Price Js. in boards. 

7. THE LOVE OF GAIN; a Poem, imitated from the 
13th Satire of Juvenal. Price 35. 6d, 

8. ADELMORN, the OUTLAW; a Romantic Drama, 
performed at Druly-lane, May 4th, 1801. Price 2s. 6d. 



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